What It Is About
A gunman opened fire close to the Israeli consulate in Munich on Thursday and was neutralized by police. The incident coincided with the 52nd anniversary of the tragic terrorist attack during the 1972 Munich Olympics, where 11 Israeli athletes lost their lives. Notably, no one else was harmed during the incident.
Why It Matters
This event underscores the ongoing security threats faced by Israeli establishments worldwide, even decades after significant historical tragedies. Despite the gunman being taken down, the attempt highlights the need for heightened vigilance and solidifies the resilience of Israel and its allies against acts of terror.
Details of the Incident
Police were alerted to a person wielding a “long gun” in the Karolinenplatz area near downtown Munich at around 9 a.m. An exchange of gunfire ensued, resulting in the suspect’s fatal injuries. Fortunately, there were no other injuries, according to police spokesperson Andreas Franken.
The consulate, located near the Munich Documentation Center for the History of National Socialism, was suggested as a possible target by some media outlets. The gunman, who was carrying an antiquated firearm with a repeating mechanism, had his identity and motives under investigation. However, police ruled out the presence of additional suspects after the incident.
International Response
Israel’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged the attempted attack and clarified that the consulate was closed for an annual commemorative ceremony honoring the Israeli athletes killed during the 1972 Olympics. Israel’s President Isaac Herzog reached out to his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in gratitude for the swift neutralization of the threat.
“On the day our brothers and sisters in Munich were set to stand in remembrance of our brave athletes murdered by terrorists 52 years ago, a hate-fuelled terrorist came and sought to murder innocent people once again,” Herzog remarked. He thanked the German security services for their rapid response and emphasized the collective resistance against terror.
Context of Rising Antisemitism
The incident in Munich follows a troubling trend in Germany, including a recent attack on an Israeli woman in Heidelberg allegedly provoked by her pro-Israel shirt. Antisemitic incidents in Germany have surged, particularly after Hamas’s violent outbreak on October 7, alluding to a broader and concerning pattern of anti-Israeli actions globally.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.