Munich Massacre: The 1972 Olympic Hostage Crisis

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Questions and Answers

What is the number of Israeli athletes killed during the hostage situation at the Munich Games?

Who was responsible for security at the Munich Games?

Oly's

What issue complicated the first rescue attempt at the Olympic Village?

Live television coverage

What was the desire expressed by members of the Israeli Knesset after the massacre?

To avoid memories of the Nazis' 1936 Berlin Games Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the demands made by the hijackers during the Munich incident?

Release of Arab prisoners Signup and view all the answers

Who stated that 'We must not only defend ourselves, but also attack'?

Israeli Knesset member Ya’acov Hazan. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the three surviving terrorists during the incident?

They were released by German authorities. Signup and view all the answers

How many Israeli hostages were killed at the airport during the Munich crisis?

9 Signup and view all the answers

What did the families of the Israeli victims fail to achieve in 2012 regarding the 40th anniversary of the massacre?

They failed to obtain recognition and a formal apology from the IOC. Signup and view all the answers

What action was taken by the Munich organizers on September 6, 1972?

They suspended the games and held a memorial service for the victims. Signup and view all the answers

What was the action taken by the German authorities after the massacre that could have prevented it?

Creation of GSG-9 Signup and view all the answers

How did the rescue plan at the airport get off to a poor start?

Police disguised as aircrew abandoned their post. Signup and view all the answers

What action did ten Arab nations take at the memorial service after the massacre?

Refused to lower their national flags. Signup and view all the answers

What were major issues with the snipers involved in the rescue attempt?

Inexperienced, too few in number, poorly armed and positioned during the operation. Signup and view all the answers

What was the formative experience of many Black September recruits?

A refugee life Signup and view all the answers

What were the three Arab nations that condemned the actions of Black September?

Jordan, Egypt, and Syria. Signup and view all the answers

In what year was the Israeli state established?

<ol start="1948"> <li></li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What was the controversial decision taken by games organizers after the memorial service?

Resumption of the Games that very afternoon. Signup and view all the answers

What was the estimated number of attendees at the memorial service?

70,000-80,000. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the Munich police chief who described the armed police presence at the games?

Manfred Schreiber. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main claim made by the scholar Aaron Klein regarding armed games security?

It would not have prevented determined terrorists. Signup and view all the answers

What key piece of police equipment was not delivered to the airport in time?

Armoured vehicles. Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the police psychologist who presented security threat scenarios to the Munich organizers?

Dr. George Seiber. Signup and view all the answers

What key issue did the IOC face when it came to commemorating the Munich massacre?

The key issue was the need to honor and remember the victims while addressing political sensitivities surrounding the event. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome for many of the alleged planners of the Munich attack?

They were assassinated by the Israeli's. Signup and view all the answers

What did German negotiators offer an unlimited amount of in exchange for the release of the hostages before the Munich massacre?

Money Signup and view all the answers

Who has the name of the scholar who revealed the Israeli team chose not to have security accompany them to Munich?

Kay Shiller Signup and view all the answers

Who has the number of days the Munich attack lasted?

One Signup and view all the answers

Who has the ultimate goal of Palestinian terrorist groups such as Black September and the PFLP?

Liberation of Palestine and the return of land. Signup and view all the answers

Who has the reason why the 1972 Munich Games were to be of special significance to the Israeli team?

The legacy of the Holocaust. Signup and view all the answers

Who has the revelations made in the German media by Der Spiegel in 2012?

Credible warnings of an attack two days prior were ignored. Signup and view all the answers

Who has the host city of the 1976 Olympic Games where Munich's security flaws were addressed?

Montreal Signup and view all the answers

What action did some teams and individual athletes take during after the resumption of the Games on 6 September?

They left the games in protest. Signup and view all the answers

Who has what saved the diplomatic relationship between West Germany and Israel in the aftermath of the massacre.

Close personal rapport between Golda Meir and Willy Brandt. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Munich Massacre: A Timeline of Tragedy

On September 5th, 1972, eight Palestinian terrorists from the group Black September entered the Olympic village in Munich and took eleven Israeli athletes hostage.
The terrorists’ demands were: the release of over 200 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel and two German terrorists held in a West German prison.
The lack of communication between the police at the Olympic Village and the airport significantly hampered the rescue attempt.
The German government was reluctant to give in to the terrorists’ demands. This resistance was further fuelled by the actions of Israeli PM Golda Meir and German Chancellor Willy Brandt seeking to avoid compromising their respective positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The primary motive of Black September was the liberation of Palestine and the return of land.
During the hostage situation, a failed rescue attempt was made at the airport.
The rescue team at the airport wasn't prepared, with the police ill-equipped and lacking the experience needed for such a delicate operation.
The terrorists, many of whom were trained in Libya, held the Israeli hostages for over 11 hours before they were flown to Fürstenfeldbruck Air Base.
The decision to use inexperienced and poorly positioned snipers further compromised the rescue attempt.
Five of the hostages and all eight terrorists were killed, with the three surviving terrorists released by German authorities just hours after the massacre.
The actions of the German authorities following the massacre were controversial. They faced criticism for their handling of the hostage crisis and for their decision to release the terrorists.
The 1972 Munich Olympics were suspended following the massacre, and a memorial service was held in which ten Arabian nations refused to lower their flags to half-mast.
Following the massacre, the IOC faced significant pressure to address the tragedy. The key issues for the IOC in commemorating the massacre were their responsibility for the safety and security of athletes competing at the Games. They were also keen to avoid any political ramifications.
The massacre had a profound impact on both German and Israeli society.
A key response from the German authorities was the creation of a special anti-terrorism unit called GSG-9.
Israel also made significant changes to its security policy following the massacre.
The massacre is considered to be a pivotal moment in the history of the Olympic Games and international terrorism.

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Description

Explore the harrowing events surrounding the Munich Massacre during the 1972 Olympic Games. This quiz covers the timeline of the hostage situation, the motives of the terrorists, and the actions taken by both German and Israeli officials. Test your knowledge on this significant incident in Olympic history and its broader implications on global politics.