This program records the events of September 5, 1972 when eleven Israeli sportsmen were taken hostage and massacred by Palestinian guerrillas during the Munich Olympic Games – a tragedy broadcast live around the world. There are two narrative lines: Ankie Spitzer, the Dutch widow of one of the murdered Israelis, fencing coach Andre Spitzer; and Amal Al Gashey, the sole surviving Palestinian guerrilla. Twenty-eight years later he still presents his absolute faith in the rightness of his mission. There is also comment from a variety of eyewitnesses and from German and Israeli officials.
Answer the following questions:
What demands did the terrorists make?
Write a paragraph explaining what motivated the terrorists.
Why do you think Golda Meir refused to give in to the terrorists demands?
In your opinion, should democratic governments ever negotiate with terrorists? Why? Why not?According to Amal Al Gashey, what motivated the terrorists? What justification does he give?
How might this source be used by historians (usefulness)? How reliable is it as an historical source?
“One Day in September”
May 6, 2007 · 14 Comments
Categories: Terrorism
14 responses so far ↓
One Day in September Questions-
1) The demands the terrorists made after taking the hostages was for the release of over 200 political prisoners in exchange for the Israeli hostages.
2) The terrorists were motivated by injustices they had endured earlier in life by their people. They were driven out of Palestine by the Israeli’s and were forced to live in refugee camps. Their future actions were said to be in response to the injustices they endured.
3) Golda Meir refused to give into the terrorists demands because he believed he should follow the guidelines of his government which states that they should not negotiate with terrorists.
4) I don’t believe democratic nations should ever negotiate with terrorists because when that begins our rights within a democratic nation are abolished and we begin to live in fear under the control of the terrorists. Amal al Gashey indicates that the motivation behind their vicious acts was the effect of previous injustices imposed on their people by the Israeli’s.
5) This source would be extremely useful for historians as it involves interviews with numerous eyewitnesses and even one of the original terrorists. It is obviously a secondary source however certain aspects of the video contains primary information. The historical reliability of the source is undeniable as it shows the story from both sides. This source would be extremely useful for a historian researching the attack.
ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER
At the Munich Olympic games in 1972, hostages were captured under demands for the Germans to release over 200 Palestinian prisoners that were help captive for political reasons. This group of Palestinian terrorists held the Israelis responsible for this horrific day. Years before the Munich Olympics, these men had been living comfortably in Palestinian lands until Israel kicked them out of there country and forced them to live in refugee camps. This is where they first formed there hatred and ideas of revenge against the Israel’s.
I believe that Golda Meir and the government at the time did not give into the terrorist demands as this is just giving them what they want and letting them defeat the country. If they were to hand over to the Palestinians the deal, they would come back for more and think they could get what they want.
This source can be revealed as a reliable source I believe because there are many interviews with people who were directly involved with the tragedy. Historians could then use this source to teach of German life in that era, for example how they reacted and demonstrated themselves to the rest of the world by specifically downgrading police force for the games.
What demands did the terrorists make?
The terrorists demanded the release of 200 Palenstinian prisoners held by Israel.
Write a paragraph explaining what motivated the terrorists.
The incident in Munich was part of a larger and ongoign dispute between the Palestinians and Israel over land, and Jerusalem in particular. The area that is now Israel was given to the Jews at the end of WWII in part to repay the enormous persecution they had suffered. The site is a place of deep religious signfigance for Christians, Muslims and Jews, the later two both having laid claim over the are for centuries at a time. Many Palestinians live in refugee camps becasue they have been displaced by Israeli settlements, and this gave birth to militant groups seeking to take back the land they feel they own. Black September is one such group and their actions in Munich were directly linked to the struggle with Israel.
Why do you think Golda Meir refused to give in to the terrorists demands?
The Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir refused to give into the demands because she would not have wanted to negotiate with terrorists, giving them respect and credibility. Also, she would have reasoned that the lives of a few Israelis were far less a loss than the potential danger the release of 200 prisoners held.
In your opinion, should democratic governments ever negotiate with terrorists? Why? Why not?
I think there would be some cases where governments have to negotiate with terrorists. Instances where egos have to be put away and the greater good of a situation considered.
According to Amal Al Gashey, what motivated the terrorists? What justification does he give?
According to Amal Al Gashey the terrorists were motivated by their belief in a pan-Islamic state.
How might this source be used by historians (usefulness)? How reliable is it as an historical source?
I think this is a useful historical source because it contains both secondary and primary sources. It has interviews with people involved and recreations, both of which could be useful to an historian. However, the reliability is a little doubtful beacuse the interviewers may have asked some leading questions or the program may have been made with an element of bias.
One Day In September
1. The Black September terrorists demanded the release of 200 Palestinian refugees in exchange for the Israel’s athletes.
2. The Palestinian terrorists were motivated to perform such an act because of the mistreatment they had received from the Israel’s years before. They were removed from their own country and placed in refugee camps. It was here Palestinian men united as one to form Black September.
3. Golda Meir clearly felt that is she was to give in to the terrorists it would not only put the athletes lives in danger but also give the upper hand to the terrorist group.
4. I would be against governments negotiating with terrorists simply because the more power they receive the more they will misuse it against innocent civilians. While in the Israeli governments case the athletes were consequently killed, I felt if they had let the 200 prisoners free they would have had a far greater problem.
5. This documentary is a very useful historical source. This is because of the interviews and footage that is contained in the program. It is a secondary source as it was made recently however there are also primary source interviews, which also feature. Whilst the last remaining Palestinian terrorist features in the recreation and interviews, their side is overthrown by the point of view of the Israeli athletes.
During the 1972 Olympic games held in Munich eleven sporting athletes were taken hostage by Palestinian terrorist demanding the freedom of 200 Palestinian prisoners. The motivation behind this horrific day started when Israel moved into Palestinian country because they had more power. Forcing the Palestinians to live in refugee camps away from their homeland. This is what sparked the tension between the two countries that led to that one fatal day in September.
I believe that the actions taken by Golda Meir on that fateful day were that of a very confident man. He didn’t want to give into the terrorist’s demands because this would have shown a immediate victory to the terrorist and would have illustrated the German government to be weak in its national stance. Also knowing that if they did hand over the Prisoners they would return to the so called “weak” country and think they own the place causing more chaos.
I believe that democratic governments shouldn’t negotiant with terrorists but this also depends upon the circumstances of an incident and what the consequences would be if they were to negotiate.
I believe that this source of information is reliable from a historians point of view as it tell the event clearly and it reveals real footage and a critical analysis of what happened at certain point of the attack. This source is reliable because it rein acts what really happened and it involves real life interviews of the people that were involved an real life footage.
What demands did the terrorists make?
The fedayeen demanded the release and safe passage to Egypt of 234 Palestinians and non-Arabs jailed in Israel, along with two German prisoners, Andreas Baader and Ulrike Meinhof, who were founders of the German Red Army Faction.
Write a paragraph explaining what motivated the terrorists.
they were driven out of their own homes by the Israelien’s when they were young and were living in refugee camps so when they had the chance they joined the guerillas and wanted revenge on the israeli’s.
Why do you think Golda Meir refused to give in to the terrorists demands?
Because that would mean that no Israeli would ever feel safe again if they gave into their demands.
In your opinion, should democratic governments ever negotiate with terrorists? Why? Why not?
Yes cause sometimes we do need to negotiate to solve the problem and not make it any worse then it already is and to help those that will be affected by it which is mostly civilians who get injured or worse killed.
According to Amal Al Gashey, what motivated the terrorists?
He sais that what motivated the terrorists was the effect of previous injustices imposed on the Palestinians by the israeli’s.
How might this source be used by historians (usefulness)?
This would be a great source for a historian as it has a lot of information about the whole ideal. It also has interviews with some eye witnesses and one of the terrorists from black September so he is giving you the truth co he was there in the middle of the whole thing.
How reliable is it as an historical source?
I found it very reliable because it has real footage of the kidnapping and interviews from people who were there who actually saw what happened and one of the terrorists is also being interviewed so he gives us a real picture of what happened and tells the whole story and not any cover ups made by other people.
One day in September
1. After successfully capturing the hostages, the Black September terrorists demanded the release of over 200 Palestinian prisoners held by the Israeli government for the exchange of the Israeli athletes.
2. The Black September terrorists were motivated by the event where the Israeli’s drove the Palestinians off their land and forced them to live in refugee camps. The Black September group formed in these camps and it is said that the attack at the 1972 Munich Olympics was a result of this.
3. Golda Meir did not give in to the demands of the Black September terrorists because he followed his government’s regulations, which state that they would not negotiate with terrorists.
4. I believe that democratic governments may have to negotiate with terrorists if that is the option to achieve the best result for everyone involved. But as a general comment I believe that democratic governments should not negotiate with terrorists because once that happens the terrorists are in control and, as Sharon said, our rights as a citizen of a democratic country are lost. Amal Al Gashey indicates that the motivation was the mistreatment of his people by the Israeli’s.
5. This is a first-rate source for historians as it consists of many interviews with witnesses from the scenes of the terror attack and an interview with the only surviving Black September terrorist who was a part of the 1972 Munich Olympic attack. The video itself is a secondary source, but it contains some primary sources, such as live footage of the attack. It is a very reliable source as it gives a fair account from both sides, using the Black September member to give the story from the terrorist’s point of view, who still believes in the importance of their mission in Munich.
What demands did the terrorists make?
The terrorists demanded the German government to release over 200 Palestinians that were political prisoners
Write a paragraph explaining what motivated the terrorists.
The terrorists were seeking revenge for events that had occurred between Israel and Palestine in the past. The Israelis overran Palestine and took control of their country forcing the Palestinians out. A war that still exists today. The Palestinian terrorists saw the kidnapping and terrorising of the 11 israelis as perfectly fair because of what Israel had done to their country.
Why do you think Golda Meir refused to give in to the terrorists demands?
Golda Meir refused the terrorists demand because the German government did not believe in negotiating with terrorists.
In your opinion, should democratic governments ever negotiate with terrorists? Why? Why not?
I believe that terrorists never actually meet deadlines anyway, so trying to negotiate with them would be a foolish idea. From books I have read this happens regularly. Instead I think governments should be ready for the terrorists every move, stopping them from causing turmoil and shuting down their options.
According to Amal Al Gashey, what motivated the terrorists?
Amal Al Gashey believed that it was injustice that the Israelis placed upon the Palestinians earlier that motivated the terrorists.
How might this source be used by historians (usefulness)?
I believe this documentary is a very useful source to historians. It provides actual footage of the events and interviews with people who were involved or directly affected by them. The source is very reliable as it is the people who saw what happened telling the story and leaves little room for bias.
One Day In September Questions.
1) The terrorists demanded the release of over 200 hundred political prisoners in exchange with the prisoners.
2) The main motivation behind the horrific events of that day in September was that the Palestinians were driven out of their communities by the Israelians and forced to live in refugee camps. This event aggravated the Palestinians and they have wanted to have revenge ever since.
3) The guidelines of the German Government was that they should never negotiate with terrorists. This is why Golda Meir refused to give in to the terrorists demands.
4) I believe that the Government should never give into the demands or even negotiate with Terrorists. If Governments kept being manipulated by Terrorists this would lead to even more attacks because they will know that they will get their own way. Amal al Gashey says that the reason behind the horrific events was the past injustices that the Palestinians suffered at the hands of the Isrealians.
5) This source would be extremely helpful for historians because it provides interviews with eye witnesses and one of the original terrorists. This source is secondary but has glimpses of primary sources. The reliability of the text is indisputable because it is not bias in any way because it shows both aspects of the story.
What demands did the terrorists make?
The terrorists demaded the release of 200 prisoners, mainly held by the Israeli’s.
Write a paragraph explaining what motivated the terrorists.
The Palenstinian’s said that their motivs were years of Isreali persicution. The Palenstinian’s had been kicked out of there country for the Isreali’s and put into massive refugee camps full of disease and filth.
Why do you think Golda Meir refused to give in to the terrorists demands?
Golda Meir refused to give the Palenstinian’s their demands because she said that if she did now Israeli any where would not be safe and it would let the terrorists gain the upper hand.
In your opinion, should democratic governments ever negotiate with terrorists? Why? Why not?
I think it depends on the situation but generally no Democratic governments should not negotiate with terrorists. It gives terrorists, world wide, the idea “if they did that then they will do this”. I think that there would be a massive increase in terrorist activities if they thought that there was a larger chance of getting their demands met.
According to Amal Al Gashey, what motivated the terrorists? What justification does he give?
Amal Al Gashey said the terrorists were motivated by their belief in a pan-Islamic state and by freeing the prisoners it would help.
How might this source be used by historians (usefulness)? How reliable is it as an historical source?
I think that this source would be useful to historians because it has many interviews with people who were there at the time and it uses real footage of the event. It also explains things about it that only came up after the event. It is reliable as a historical source because it uses a good mix of primary and secondary sources, i thought that it was fairly unbiased as far as documenties go. It had interviews with people that were victimised from the attacks and from one of the terrorists.
“One day in September”
1. The terrorist’s demands during in the siege were that 200 political prisoners of Israel be released or the Israeli athletes would be executed.
2. The motivation of the terrorists included initially bring glory to their country and letting the world know of their suffering at the hands of the Jews. The terrorists had been training most of their lives for this cause, they believed wholeheartedly in the reasons behind it.
3. Golda Meir didn’t want to give in to the terrorist’s demands because she was afraid that if she gave in, it would set a precedent over the world for weakness. Golda Meir was much more in favour of staging a rescue mission with her Mossad.
4. I don’t think democratic governments should ever negotiate with terrorists. It shows weakness and only encourages more of the same, if the terrorists know nothing can be gleaned from an abduction then it is far less likely that they will take the risk to abduct them.
5. As I said the motivation of the terrorists included educating the world to their needs and their dire predicament in Israel. They thoroughly believed that what they were doing would help their country and their state. After they were in the operation they could not pull out, they couldn’t they were trained for years to do this job and were not going to pull out then.
This source would be a useful one to historians, both lines of the narrative were there at the time of the attacks, and both had direct link to the attack. The Palestinian side would be particularly useful because he is the sole surviving terrorist. Ankie Sptizer provides an interesting slant on the story although would not be as useful to a historian. Because the documentary was made after the attack and is not exactly a primary source (although containing many) it does lose a little bit of authenticity.
What demands did the terrorists make?
The terrorits wanted the release of over 200 political prisoners in Israel in exchange for the Israeli hostages.
Write a paragraph explaining what motivated the terrorists.
The terrorits were motivated by their deportation out of Israel to refugee camps. This made them very angry about the Israel gouvernment. In this camp they actually met each other the first time. The deportation gave them an extra motivation to achieve their goal by taking Israel hostages at an event on which the whole world has a look.
Why do you think Golda Meir refused to give in to the terrorists demands?
I think Golda Meir didn’t want to show the terrorists any respect and show them that their hostage-taking was unsuccessful. And why should she free 200 political prisoners who may threaten the country after that again for “only” 11 Israelis?
In your opinion, should democratic governments ever negotiate with terrorists? Why? Why not?
In my opinion governments should never negotiate with terrorits. The demands of the terrorits are often absurd and can’t be fulfilled by the governments. I also think that if a gouvernment would never negotiate with terrorists they may stop taking hostages to get money because they know that a gouvernment would never pay any money for them.
According to Amal Al Gashey, what motivated the terrorists? What justification does he give?
He says that they were motivated by the injustices, which they received by the Israel gouvernment.
How might this source be used by historians (usefulness)? How reliable is it as an historical source?
I think this source is very reliable because it contains many interesting interviews from different point of views. They interviewed germans, the widow of a hostage and the surviving terrorist. The footage was also very good used and the original audio and video sources gave the whole film the feeling as it just happens at the moment.
1)The Release of over 200 political prisoners in exchange for the Israeli hostages.
2)Their actions were supposably a response to the injustices they endured earlier in their lives when driven out of Palestine by the people of Israel. This was their motivation for revenge agaisnt those who ‘took’ their country from them and forced them to live amoungst refugee camps. The terrorists had been training almost their entire lives for this event, evident in the testomony of one of the refugee’s in the program, and truly believed this would bring glory to Palestine.
3)Golda Meir did not want to give in to the terrorists demands as she did not wish to give them the upper hand, Believing if they were to give into the demands than no Jew would feel safe in Germany or abroad. The ‘we do not negoitate with terrorist’ mentality applied in this instance.
4)I believe alot depends on the situation and the number of casualties that could occur/the terrorists demands and reasons, yet i do believe that giving in to terrorists gives them the oppurtunity to demand more and gain more victories. Amal al Gashey indicates that the motivation of their actions was the effect of previous injustices imposed on their people by the Israeli’s. This is his justification and feels he has brought glory to Palestine.
5) This source would be highly useful and reliable for historians, as it has interviews with numerous eyewitnesses and those directly involved in the events. It is clearly a secondary source yet, certain parts of the video contain primary information. The historical reliability of the source is undeniable as it shows the story from both sides. This source would be extremely useful for a historian researching the attack.
1. The Terrorists demanded that 200 POW captured by Israel be released.
2. The war between Israel and Palistan, also to get revenge on Israel. A lot of the Palistinians were held in refugee camps, it was then that black september was supposebly formed. Which later led to the result of the kidnappings in Munich on 1972.
3. If Golda Meir didnt refuse to the terrorist demands then nobody would feel safe in israel because it means that the terrorist could control.
4. Democratic governments should never negotiate with terrorists because it would never solve any problems, it also would not help at all because the terrorists will think they hve the power.
5. before watching this source i didnt have really any idea about what happend, i knew though that there were kidnappings. i really didnt know in great detail. so yes i believe this is a good source.
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