Mohammed Oudeh, 1937–2010
The terrorist who planned the attack at the Munich Olympics
Organizers of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games promoted the competition as “the carefree Games.” But it turned into a horror show after eight Palestinian terrorists, organized and directed by Mohammed Oudeh, took 11 members of the Israeli team hostage. They killed two athletes during the assault, and the rest were killed, along with five hostage-takers, during a botched rescue attempt. Oudeh never expressed remorse for the atrocity. “Would you believe me if I tell you that if I had to do it all over, I would?” he said in 2008.
Oudeh, who died last week in Syria, was better known in the Arab world by his nom de guerre, Abu Daoud, said The Washington Post. Born in Jerusalem, he lived there—teaching school and earning a law degree—until 1967, when Israeli forces captured the eastern part of the city in the Six-Day War. He fled to Jordan, where he joined Black September, a militant offshoot of the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s Fatah organization.
Oudeh conceived of the Munich assault as a way to draw world attention to the Palestinians’ plight, said the Associated Press. “Before Munich, we were simply terrorists,” he said in 2006. “After Munich, at least people started asking, ‘Who are these terrorists? What do they want?’” He did not take part in the operation, reportedly issuing final instructions to the terrorist squad over dinner in a Munich restaurant the night before the attack.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In the ensuing years, Israeli agents assassinated several top Palestinian officials believed to have been involved in the massacre. But Oudeh remained at large, said The New York Times, though his role in the atrocity “was well-known to American and Israeli officials.” His closest brush with death came in 1981, when a gunman shot him three times while he sat in a Warsaw coffee shop. After that incident, “he lived in exile and on the run” in Eastern Europe, Jordan, and the West Bank. He died of kidney failure, a few days after issuing a statement vowing that his grandchildren would continue to fight Israel.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why does Elon Musk take his son everywhere?
Talking Point With his four-year-old 'emotional support human' by his side, what message is the world's richest man sending?
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: Why are sinkholes becoming more common?
Podcast Plus, will Saudi investment help create the "Netflix of sport"? And why has New Zealand's new tourism campaign met with a savage reception?
By The Week UK Published
-
How Poland became Europe's military power
The Explainer Warsaw has made its armed forces a priority as it looks to protect its borders and stay close to the US
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Denis Law obituary: fond farewell to 'the King of the Stretford End'
In the Spotlight Scottish footballer who was one of Manchester United's 'Holy Trinity' has died aged 84
By The Week UK Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Bobby Charlton: England's old-fashioned sporting hero
Obituary Not only was Sir Bobby one of the country's greatest-ever footballers he was lauded for his demeanour on and off the pitch
By The Week UK Published
-
Pelé obituary: remembering the greatest footballer of all time
In the Spotlight The Brazilian footballer, who died aged 82, was blessed with extraordinary skill in every aspect of the game
By The Week Staff Published
-
Franco Harris, legendary Pittsburgh Steelers running back, dies at 72
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Vin Scully, legendary Dodgers broadcaster, dies at 94
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
NBA champ and Celtics legend Bill Russell dies at 88
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Dwayne Haskins dies after being struck by a dump truck
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published