For Alon Meyer, reconciliation with the surviving relatives of the victims of the Munich attack is at the center of the agreement that has now been reached: “That was also very important to the surviving relatives and thus to the victims of this terrorist attack: that a thorough investigation be carried out, that an apology be made and as a last point, appropriate compensation. The fact that this is being pushed to the fore here is certainly not doing the matter any good.”
It is positive for Meyer that it is now being worked up. However, he finds the timing problematic. “50 years is extremely long, far too long.” It is also important that an official apology from the German state is to be expected, even if it is “only” words: “It is a sign of insight, unconditional insight, the whole is important in order to be able to do better in the future.”
“A blemish in our German history”
For Meyer, processing is something that makes Germany strong. The assassination still plays an important role for the Makkabi Germany Association, because the attack is a topic at international meetings again and again. “It’s a flaw in our German history that we’re now trying to improve, work through so that things will go better in the future,” says Meyer. “This is a point that had to be settled for us as Jews in Germany.”
The attention to the anniversary of the assassination should also be used, says Meyer, to bring about improvement – for example for Jewish athletes in Germany who are hostile to or attacked. Jewish institutions and events still need to be better protected today: “But this is due to the fact that we are still the victims of terrorist attacks far too often and have to prepare for them,” says Meyer.