Plaque commemorating the victims of the 1972 Olympics massacre in Munich (photo: ProhibitOnions at the English language Wikipedia)
In Tablet, Deborah Lipstadt looks at the International Olympic Committee’s refusal (on the grounds that the Olympic games are “apolitical”) to observe a moment of silence at the upcoming London Olympics for the Israeli athletes murdered at the 1972 games, and comes to a grim conclusion:
The IOC’s explanation is nothing more than a pathetic excuse. The athletes who were murdered were from Israel and were Jews—that is why they aren’t being remembered. The only conclusion one can draw is that Jewish blood is cheap, too cheap to risk upsetting a bloc of Arab nations and other countries that oppose Israel and its policies.
What do you think?
1:58 am
Shame on you Olympics!
11:19 am
I pray for Isreal alway’s and love the Jewish people. The almighty will it right Amen.
7:20 pm
It’s a shame! but there is nothing. The Arab are disfunctiom. I remember when the Olympic was held in China, an iranian was kicked out of the Olympic because he had to swim with an Israeli.
12:25 am
The murdering happened 3 decades ago and the dead were (unfortunately) never remembered at later games. The intention to do it now is great but the rejection could be expected.
10:45 am
JUST IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF A BUS TAKING ATHLETES, FROM AN ARAB COUNTRY HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, LIKE BEING BY A TRAIN, AND THE ARAB ATHLETES WERE KILLED.
fOR SURE, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MOURNING AT THE GAMES AND EVERY OTHER OLYPIC GANES WOULD HAVE TWO MINUTES REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE KILLED ON THEIR WAY TO THE GAMES.
CAN ONE EXPECT ANYTHING BETTER?
9:18 pm
I consider the negative of the Olympic Comitee, an offense to the Humanity, had it been palestinian or any other ethnic, they woul observe the minute of recordation, had to be ”JEWS”. It’s a shame.
8:41 pm
Everybody who hurts the Jewish people will one day stand before the Almighty and pay. I love these people cos through them, we were given salvation.
7:42 am
Thanks Kath for saying that!The Jewish blood is very precious.Infact,human life exist because of Jews.I do not take it lightly to see one Jewish blood spilled for any reason.(Jew or not Jew,if you understand the scriptures,you don’t have to be Jewish to appreciate what God has done for the world through Jews).Bless your heart.
7:27 pm
I stand for Israel
6:57 pm
The Nation of Israel belong to Adonai. Who can curse what The Lord already blessed ? I pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Jesus is comming soon.
4:29 pm
The culture of the U.K. is antisemitic. Just check out the history. And now it is virtually being seen as an Islamic State, why should we be surprised. However, the Jewish nation is the most persecuted nation on earth but in spite of their suffering, they have always come out stronger than those who persecute them. Without a Jewish Messiah, there would be no Christianity. I pray God’s richest blessings on all of the athletes, especially the Israeli’s.
2:18 pm
i agree with all of the comments made. i for one will not watch the Olympic but yes ill will pray for israel. may God Bless them as they go again into war, now with Iran. God Bless America.
2:11 pm
I agree this STINKS of nazi work in the background, they never wanted the nation to exiest in the first place. I am not a jew but this is really wrong. my jewish realitives are rolling thier graves.God will deal with these people.
2:04 pm
You people of the Olympics.,you can’t even give 60 seconds of silence in honor of the murdered victims(Jews).? Don’t you not know God loves Israel so much..more so the Jews..? remember that ,,huh..?
1:53 pm
kenneth is so right!!!
The LORD is very clear in HIS WORD.
HE will bless those that bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel.
May The LORD keep HIS Mighty Hand over Israel and the Jewish people always!!!
8:43 pm
Amen to this, this is very true.
1:39 pm
This is talking about God’s people. They are special and I am sure God is not happy with this. You are very right, if it was a MUslim they would have been recognized. Obama probably would have even made a special trip to observe the moment of silence.
1:27 pm
I believe that Deborah’s assessment is totally correct. I also believe that Israel should refuse to allow their men and women to attend the Olympics this year because a repeat will probably take place aimed at Americans and Israel. Barack H. Obama is a Muslim and he will probably make an excuse for the Muslim attack.
I recently sent an email to Israel’s PM begging him to hold the line and not give up one inch of Israel to ememies. Yawah gave all the land from the Euphrades to the Nile through Abraham, Issac and Jacob to the jewish people FOREVER. Anyone standing against Israel is an enemy of God HIMSELF. Anyone speaking against Israel is speaking against God HIMSELF.
1:04 pm
I think this is a terrible mistake. We as Christians and Jews should be concerned. We need for both anti-semitism & anti-christianity to leave this earth and it will. We’re both looking for Messiah!
12:57 pm
I attempting not to offend a few you insult thousands.
12:57 pm
In a world that has been turned upside down in traditional values, ethics and morality, it comes as no surprize that the IOC’s views have become so calloused about human life. They state that their organization is apolitical but that’s simply untrue – by their action to oppose a moment of silence they have taken a political stand to dishonor Israel and its people.
10:56 am
ERNEST, YOU ARE SO RIGHT.
OLYMPICS HAVE BECOME POLITICAL,
THE MURDER OF ISRAELI JEWISH ATHLETES WAS DONE BY THE MOST EVIL PEOPLE ON EARTH.THEY ARE AN EVIL CULT AND WERE HONOURED BY THEIR LEADERS. ABBAS FINANCED THE MASSSACRE, AND HE IS BING PROTECTED BY THOSE WHO WANT ISRAEL TO DISAPPEAR.
THE OLYMPIS IS NOT POLITICS. IT IS HUMANITY. BY NOT GIVING 6O SECONDS TO REMEMBER AND HONOUR THOSE MURDERED ATHLETES SHOWS THAT THE OLYMPICS HAVE BECOME POLITICAL. HEVEN FORBID, THEY SHOULD UPSET THOSE MURDERING CULTISTS, AND UPSET THE ARCH MURDERER ABBAS.
12:53 pm
The IOC are cowards. They are afraid to do the right thing and have 1 minute for these athletes to be remembered because it will shame them..I will bow my head and remember them. Will you,
12:47 pm
I am absolutely disgusted at the refusalof the olympic committee`s refusal of a minutes silence for these MURDERED athletes. I will observe a minutes silence for them even though I will be at home, not at the games. It is long past time that the athletes were afforded the minute of silence. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the slain athletes God Bless them, and God Bless Israel.
12:32 pm
They can take the names out of the ceremonies,eliminate them from the newspapers and radio,but they can never take these innocent victims, some of our world’s finest, out of our hearts. We will remember.
12:27 pm
This is only one of many reasons I quit watching the olympics several years ago. More politics than sports. I simply no longer care who wins what.
12:22 pm
The linked article had a picture of the 1972 Israeli Olympic team marching into the stadium at the opening ceremonies. Wouldn’t it be something if those athletes from around the world who agree that these athletes deserve a moment of silence should, as teams or as individuals, just stop where they are during the opening march and observe 60 seconds of silence on their own. What a statement that would make! To the IOC- you are racist cowards; to the terrorists- you lose; to the world- we care! Shalom!
12:21 pm
The lord JESUS is with israel and with us in JESUS is the power and the Wisdom ………Don’t worry we are winners forever!!!!!!
12:11 pm
I totally agree. The Olympic Committee needs to take a long hard look at themselves.
12:06 pm
This is an absolute outrage! I would contact the LEADERS that are above the olympic committee and I would conntact the President of that country or several countries and protest their selfish decision. This is wrong and it shows lack of compassionn to the victims and their families of that awful tragedy in 1972 !
2:48 pm
I fully agree with Sandra that the decision is wrong. However, we have to think impartially who should be blamed for the assassination of the innocent athletes in 1972. We all are doing wrong and when it is our turn, we are vocal about others wrong.
I went through all the comments and could not understand if all are fanatic and blind. We mankind are all same having the same blood, having the same sorrow, pain and happiness and therefore avoid making comments in a way that may hurt the sentiments of others. No religion teaches us that way. If any of us say that yes, it is our religion teaches than I should say that is not at all a religion.
There are many good way to show our anger, sentiments etc. etc. I believe that Sandra’s steps will change the scenario. Let us be good and expect good from others. Nobody’s blood is cheap, not even the blood of the common Israelis.
11:57 am
All humans are created by the God of the Universe. Regardless of the country they represent in the Olympics, all participants should receive the same recognition for their skills, past and present.
11:53 am
Very sad but regrettably to be expected! However we remember in the real civilized world and im not jewish, may their families be consoled and their countrymen never forget.
11:46 am
This STINKS! You can darned well bet that had they been muslims the moment of silence would be honored.