Families of Israelis Killed at Munich Olympics Reach Compensation Deal

It was not just money at stake, according to the athletes’ families, but also the fact that Germany has not always granted access to files about the event. According to recently declassified documents seen by The Times, the German authorities had ignored explicit warnings about the attack.

In addition to the financial compensation, Germany wants to establish a German-Israeli history commission, with full access to all records, “to scrutinize all available sources” and come up with a “scholarly account and assessment of the events,” Mr. Steinmeier’s office said this month.

Both countries’ presidents, who are said to be friends, got involved in the compensation negotiations.

“My thoughts are with the bereaved families,” Mr. Steinmeier said in the statement. “I am grateful and relieved that a solution was found that opens the door to a joint commemoration. I also thank my friend and colleague Isaac Herzog for his trust and engagement, and for keeping the conversation open.”

Mr. Herzog, invoking Germany’s leader, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, said, “I want to express my appreciation for this important step by the German government, led by Chancellor Scholz, taking responsibility and making reparations for the historic injustice done to the families of the victims of the Munich massacre.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/31/world/europe/munich-olympics-compensation-israel-germany.html