Isaac Herzog visits the Israeli pavilion in the Olympic Village in Paris

On Wednesday, July 24, the president of Israel, Isaac Herzog, visited the Israeli pavilion in the Paris Olympic Village. 

The president was accompanied by the Minister of Culture and Sports, Miki Zohar, and the president of the Israeli Olympic Committee, Yael Arad, as well as representatives of the families affected by the massacre at the Munich Olympic Games in 1972.

During his tour, President Herzog greeted the Israeli delegation, placed a Mezuzah at the entrance to the Israeli building, and commemorated the 52nd anniversary of the murder of the 11 Israeli athletes and coaches at the Munich Olympics.

In Paris, President Herzog declared that he was excited to “inaugurate the Israeli pavilion for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games". 

In addition, he greeted the “dear members of the delegation, especially the athletes, they have worked very hard to reach this moment. They demonstrate great mental strength, resilience and extraordinary physical abilities. We are sure that they will bring many achievements for Israel. We wish them much success.”

Finally, he referred to the relatives of the victims of the attack: “dear Ankie and Ilana, somehow everything is connected here. You fight and carry with pride the memory of the terrible tragedy of Munich 1972. The fact that you are here, after so many years, says it all. The burning flame that represents the Olympic spirit will never be separated from the flame of memory and commemoration of the 11 murdered. If the torch goes out, the memory goes out. Therefore, the global challenge and our challenge is to keep the Olympic spirit alive.”