Memorials for Israeli athletes killed in Munich held ahead of Olympics
The Olympic Games opening ceremony was to get underway in London Friday amid ongoing protests over the International Olympic Committee's decision against holding a moment of silence during the ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of the massacre of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich games. Sports and Culture Minister Limor Livnat planned to stage a protest during the opening ceremony to decry the IOC's decision not to hold a moment of silence in honor of the Israeli athletes during the opening ceremony. A spokesman for Livnat said she will stand for her own minute of silence as IOC President Jacque Rogge delivers his speech at the opening ceremony. Rogge led a moment of silence in the Athltes village on Monday, but the IOC decided not to hold one at the opening ceremony. Meanwhile, the British Zionist Federation initiative a "Minute for Munich" campaign at venues across Great Britain today. A memorial ceremony was also held at the Israeli embassy in London, where participants lit 11 torches for the slain Israelis and observed a minute of silence. Israel's ambassador to Britain said the Munich massacre was a direct attack on the spirit and values of the Olmpics -- peace, fraternity and friendship. A memorial ceremony was also held at the New York Consulate on Friday, attended by US Senators and Congressional representatives, senior New York City officials, and representatives of Jewish organizations. Remarks were made by Avi Melamed, an Israeli survivor of the Munich massacre. President Shimon Peres also expressed regret over the International Olypmic Committee's decision not to remember the Israeli athletes at the opening ceremony. In comments on his Facebook page, he offered good wishes to the Israeli athletes at the London Games. He said he met with them before they left for London and was impressed by their determination to win medals and bring honor to Israel.
