By Jim Webster and AAP-Reuter
First published in The Sydney Morning Herald on September 6, 1972
Arab killers halt Games
ISRAELI COACH SHOT DEAD IN RAID, 13 HELD HOSTAGE
Tuesday, — Five Arab terrorists armed with machineguns broke into the Olympic village this morning and shot two Israeli team officials, killing one.
Palestinian terrorist on the balcony of Block 31 Connolly Strasse where 12 Israeli weightlifters and wrestlers were taken hostage during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. Credit: Russell McPhedran
The Bavarian Interior Ministry said the terrorists were holding at least 13 Israelis, including the wounded man, as hostages.
The International Olympic Committee, acting on a request by the Israeli Government, suspended the Olympic Games this afternoon for 24 hours.
The president of the International Olympic Committee, Mr Avery Brundage, said a memorial service would be held at 10 am tomorrow in the Stadium “to make clear the Olympic spirit is stronger than acts of terrorism.”
Mr Brundage acted after conferring with the West German Chancellor, Mr Brandt, who had flown to Munich by special jet.
The attack was at 5 am. The terrorists set a deadline of noon for acceptance of their demands, then extended it to 5 pm (2 am Wednesday, Sydney time). This deadline came and went.
In Beirut, the Black September Movement, an Arab guerilla group, claimed responsibility for the attack and issued a list of five “non-negotiable” demands.
The demands include the freeing of 200 Palestinian prisoners in Israel’s jails, the transference by an Arab airliner of the Israeli hostages from Munich to any Arab capital, followed by negotiations for their release and the safe conduct of the Munich attackers from the country.
(AAP)
Arab terrorists hold Israeli hostage in the Olympic village during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.Credit: Russell McPhedran
Guns, police at village of peace
From JIM WEBSTER, staff correspondent
MUNICH, Tuesday
—The Olympic village, home of the world’s greatest peace gathering, today has become an armed camp.
All entrances are sealed off. Armed police are everywhere.
Police vehicles were in every neighbouring street, a policeman stood at every 10 yards around the fence enclosing the village and curious spectators were crowding into the area.
Helicopters were flying overhead and police sirens sounded above the noise and confusion.
The only people being allowed in or out are athletes going to and coming from competition sites.
Pressmen have been warned off.
“Moshe Weinberger, the Israeli wrestling coach who was murdered by Arab guerillas.”
I arrived at one of the village gates early this morning and was told by security guards that only athletes were allowed in and then only through two of the many gates. The rest, including this one, were closed.
While I was there, Australian runners Judy Pollock and Jenny Orr came to the gate after being out on an early morning run.
They had to jog off to one of the open gates.
I finally managed to get into the village by donning running shorts and shoes and scaling one of the closed gates with some athletes.
I was able to get within 50 yards of the Israeli quarters, where the guerillas have done their killing and are now holding hostages.
One of them came to the second-storey window and began talking with Olympic officials, police and Germans on the pavement below.
Police snipers watched.
Later, a few more terrorists came to the window and again spoke with the people below.