Munich Olympics massacre compensation deal struck

Israel and Germany have reached a settlement over compensation for Israelis killed at the Munich Olympics in 1972. After being held as hostages by members of a Palestinian militant group, eleven Israeli athletes were killed.

Days before the tragedy’s 50th anniversary, an agreement of €28 million (£24 million) was reached. Earlier this month, families vowed to boycott the tragedy’s remembrances because the compensation they received was insufficient. Isaac Herzog, the president of Israel, praised the agreement as a “important step by the German government” and expressed his approval.

One of the deadliest episodes in Olympic history is the Munich tragedy, which happened on September 5, 1972. Palestinian gunmen from the Black September organisation kidnapped Israeli athletes within the Olympic village.

While the militants attempted to flee the country, two were shot dead almost immediately, and the other two died during a gunfight with West German police at an adjacent airfield.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Mr. Herzog expressed their “happiness and relief” at reaching a consensus on historical clarity in a joint statement.

Germany has also said that it will make records about the hostage-taking and the failed rescue attempt public.The families of the victims have long accused German authorities of not doing enough to safeguard athletes and being secretive about their security flaws.

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