(Jewish Group) Munich Massacre families close to deal with German gov't, may attend ceremony -report

The families of the Munich Massacre victims and the German government are reportedly close to an agreement about compensation payments, which would end the families' boycott of the 50th-anniversary ceremony on September 5, Suddeutsche Zeitung reported on Tuesday, citing government sources.

According to Suddeutsche Zeitung, after days of intensive negotiations, the German government would pay almost 30 million euros to the families.

In line with the arguments by the relatives that the West German government had covered up its failures over the terrorist attack, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was said to be planning to apologize for the government's mistakes, the first President to do so. Further, it was reported that at the ceremony Steinmeier would announce a special commission to review the history of the event.

In an act of protest, all but one member of the victims’ families had decided to boycott the upcoming 50th-anniversary ceremony, the New York Times reported on August 17. The family had been insulted by the meager compensation offered and the lack of responsibility taken by the German government.

President Isaac Herzog was expected to attend the ceremony but had been put in a difficult position by the families' call for him not to attend.


Members of Israeli sports organizations form a Guard of Honor in front of command cars bearing the bodies of victims of the Munich massacre during memorial services at Lod Airport
© (photo credit: GPO FLICKR/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

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