Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The inclusion of a Moment of Silence for the victims of the 1972 Munich Olympics in the Opening Ceremony at the Tokyo 2020 Games was welcomed by many Israelis but less so by Palestinians and members of other delegations.

“I think that the Olympic family didn’t need to do this,” Jibril Rajoub, President of the Palestinian Olympic Committee, told Arab News Japan.

“Those responsible for the killings of the Israeli athletes at that time were the Israeli army and the German security forces who tried to rescue the athletes by shooting and killing everybody, including the athletes.”  

The announcer at the Tokyo 2020 Opening Ceremony said that the victims of the Munich Olympics hold a strong place “in our memories.” Eleven Israelis, five Palestinians and a German policeman died after a rescue effort erupted into gunfire.

“I think that someone should remind those who initiated (the Minute of Silence) that it is not important for anyone and contributes nothing for the future,” Rajoub said on Wednesday in Tokyo. He pointed out that Israelis victimize Palestinians, including children, old people and women.

Sources in Tokyo said that some delegation members who attended the Opening Ceremony decided to sit down after they heard the announcer refer to the Munich incident.