The Paris Olympics Bring Back Memories of 1972 Munich Games

This article first appeared in Times of Israel Blogs.

I don’t normally watch much of the Olympics simply because most of the sports they feature do not interest me. In addition, what should be a great international celebration has all too often been marred by ugly politics, usually directed at Israel. The 1972 games in Munich will always be remembered in infamy for the Palestinian terror attack against the Israeli team, which left 11 Israeli team members and 1 German policeman dead.

I have been anticipating the Paris games with great trepidation given France’s enormous problems with Islamic radicalism and terror. If a terrorist attack takes place during these games, I will not be shocked. If the French police, security, and intelligence forces can get through the games with no attacks, it will be an impressive victory. They have already intervened to stop at least 1 plot.  Nevertheless, even if there is no tragedy, the concepts of sportsmanship and understanding have already taken a beating thanks to the anti-Israel and anti-Jewish sentiments that have raised their heads.

The New York-based Jewish news outlet, Algemeiner, has listed several disturbing developments concerning the Israeli team, which is, as always, under very heavy security. I was astounded to read in the article that Adidas, a German shoe company, had been planning to issue 1972 Munich retro shoes in conjunction with the games and that Palestinian-American model, Bella Hadid, a strong enemy of Israel, was to model them. What were they thinking?

Where were the sportsmanship and understanding when a wrestler from Tajikistan refused to shake the hand of his Israeli opponent and yelled, “Allahu akhbar” at him? In his next match, the Tajiki wrestler dislocated his shoulder and was carted off crying in pain.

Allahu akhbar.

As for the Israeli soccer team, as noted by Algemeiner, their opening match against Mali on Wednesday last week was marred by protesters jeering during the Israeli national anthem. That scene was repeated on Saturday when Israel faced off against Paraguay. While their anthem was being played, pro-Palestinian protesters in the stands waved their Palestinian flags, gave the Nazi salute, and yelled, “Heil Hitler”. How ironic that so much of Palestinian propaganda is devoted to equating Israel with Nazi Germany and portraying the Jewish state as committing “genocide” against the poor Palestinians. For a short time, I thought that message had forever been discredited on October 7 last year, but I was in error. Rather than recoil in horror at the evil acts of Hamas, these folks have doubled down on the hate. They openly support Hamas and applaud what happened on that dark day. They might as well bring out old images of the late Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Amin al Husseini, who was an active ally of Hitler during World War 2. He was the true face of Palestinian hate and violence, along with Yassir Arafat, (the latter of Nobel Peace Prize fame).

As an American, I could care less whether the US walks off with the most gold medals. What I pray for is that there will be no terrorist attack in Paris during the games, whether it comes from Iran, ISIS, Hamas, Hezbollah, or anyone else.  If no attacks take place, I will applaud the work of the French police, security, and intelligence services. Unfortunately, they cannot prevent ugly incidents as we already have witnessed above. No doubt when the closing ceremony comes, the Olympic officials will all proclaim the victory of international competition in furthering peace in the world, blah blah blah.  Nonsense. Aside from the great athletic performances, these games, sadly, only provide a stage for all the world’s conflicts to come into play with all the enormous security and protective concerns that are required. Just look at what Israeli athletes have to endure every four years. Those characters who gave the Nazi salute and yelled “Heil Hitler” only proved what we have been proclaiming for years: They are indeed anti-Semitic. And make no mistake: These games have already been marred by vicious Jew hatred. That is nothing to celebrate.

But celebrate they will.