Amidst escalating antisemitism in Europe and beyond, Israeli athletes participating in the Paris Olympics have been targeted with death threats. These threats, delivered via phone calls and emails, warn of imminent danger and a potential repetition of the Munich Olympics massacre of 1972. The messages, often referring to a fictional “People’s Defense Organization,” state the intention to harm Israeli athletes and “repeat the events of Munich 1972.” The threats explicitly mention attacks at the airport, hotel, and streets of Paris, emphasizing the pervasive nature of the danger.
In response to these chilling warnings, the Israeli government has taken decisive action. Minister Miki Zohar announced the deployment of armed Shin Bet agents, Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, to protect the 88 athletes and staff members of the Israeli delegation. Zohar emphasized that security arrangements have been in place for over a year, highlighting the government’s proactive approach to ensuring the safety of its athletes.
While acknowledging the gravity of the threats, Zohar assured the public that security measures would be discreet to minimize disruption for the athletes. “We know there are threats (against the team) but we don’t want to talk about it…We try our best to make sure the athletes feel free but also safe and not afraid. We don’t want them to notice the security guards too much. We want them to feel confident so they can do their job,” he stated.
The threats have sent shockwaves through the Israeli community, evoking haunting memories of the Munich massacre. This incident, in which 11 Israeli athletes were tragically killed by Palestinian terrorists, stands as a stark reminder of the ongoing vulnerability faced by Israelis in the international arena. The current threats underscore the persistent challenges of ensuring the safety and security of Israeli athletes participating in global events.
