Munich police kill gunman in exchange of fire near Israeli Consulate
PBS NewsHourSEP 13 2024
German police shot and killed a gunman in Munich on Thursday, in an exchange of gunfire close to the Israeli consulate.
The suspect, identified by authorities as an 18-year-old Austrian national, was armed with a vintage hunting rifle. He was shot in Karolinenplatz, a square close to the Israeli consulate and a Nazi documentation center, both of which are considered to be at high risk of being attacked and given special security protections.
Bavarian state police believe the man was planning a terrorist attack to target the consulate, which was empty at the time due to a memorial taking place for the 52nd anniversary of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre.
With this incident occurring on the 52nd anniversary of the Munich Olympics massacre and in very close proximity to the Israeli embassy, it is obvious that this terrorist planned to stage some sort of anti-Israeli attack. Israeli institutions as well as Jewish institutions in Germany have faced increased threats since Oct. 7, and more must be done to protect them.
Terrorism of any kind is bad and it is extremely fortunate that any planned attack against the Israeli Consulate in Munich was thwarted before it could take place. That aside, this incident should not be used to further coddle Israel or Israeli institutions. Public discourse surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict is heavily restricted in Germany, likely due to the country's historical guilt surrounding the Holocaust. Because of this, any criticism against the Israeli government, including rightful criticism of the genocide occurring in Gaza, is shut down and labeled antisemitic, even when the criticism comes from jews themselves. Germany must stop equating protecting jews with unconditional support for Israel.