Historic Golda Meir letter on Munich Olympics massacre to be auctioned
Opening bids for Israeli Prime Minister's personal response to 1972 tragedy start at £4,780
A letter signed by Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir after the darkest chapter in Olympic history is being auctioned.
The correspondence was written just one month after the Munich massacre that claimed the lives of 11 Israeli Olympic team members.
On September 5, 1972, the world watched in horror as eight Palestinian terrorists from the group Black September stormed the Israeli quarters at the Munich Olympic Village.
Armed with assault rifles and grenades, they killed two team members immediately and took nine others hostage, demanding the release of 234 Palestinian prisoners.
The Games, which had been suspended during the crisis, controversially resumed just 34 hours later after a memorial service.
Meir writes from Jerusalem to former U.S. Senator George Murphy: “Thank you very much for your letter of 22 September…I know how strongly you feel about this vicious act. It seems that only a strong realisation on the part of the world of the dangers inherent in terrorist activities and their absolute condemnation can help check these acts. The stand taken by people like yourself is indeed a source of encouragement to us…[signed] Golda Meir”.
Bidding for the historic artefact begins at £4,480, led by auction house Nate D. Sanders in Los Angeles.
At London 2012, after 40 years of campaigning, a memorial ceremony was held in the Olympic Village. At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo (held in 2021 due to Covid-19), the murdered Israelis were remembered with a minute’s silence during the Games’ opening ceremony.
- For further information, click here.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
