Operation Wrath of God

Operation Wrath of God was a secret Israeli Mossad operation launched in response to the Munich massacre at the 1972 Summer Olympics, in which Black September militants killed 11 Israeli athletes and coaches. The operation was authorized by Golda Meir, the Prime Minister of Israel, and involved the tracking and assassination of individuals believed to be responsible for the Munich massacre, including Mohammed Boudia, Hussein Al Bashir, and Ali Hassan Salameh. The operation was carried out by a team of Mossad agents, including Zvi Zamir, Mike Harari, and Avner Kaufman, who worked closely with other Israeli intelligence agencies, such as Shin Bet and Aman (Israeli military intelligence), as well as with foreign intelligence agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency and MI6.

Background

The Munich massacre was a pivotal event in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and it led to a significant escalation of tensions between Israel and PLO-affiliated groups, including Fatah and PFLP. The Munich massacre was widely condemned by the international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the United States, and it led to a significant increase in counter-terrorism efforts by Israel and other countries, including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. The Munich massacre also had a significant impact on the Olympic Games, leading to increased security measures at subsequent games, including the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal and the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. Key figures involved in the Munich massacre included Ariel Sharon, Menachem Begin, and Yasser Arafat, who were all major players in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Planning and Organization

The planning and organization of the operation involved a team of experienced Mossad agents, including Zvi Zamir, Mike Harari, and Avner Kaufman, who worked closely with other Israeli intelligence agencies, such as Shin Bet and Aman (Israeli military intelligence). The team used a variety of techniques, including surveillance, infiltration, and sabotage, to gather intelligence and track down their targets, who included Mohammed Boudia, Hussein Al Bashir, and Ali Hassan Salameh. The operation was supported by other countries, including France, Belgium, and Italy, which provided Mossad with intelligence and logistical support. The operation also involved coordination with other Israeli agencies, including the Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli Police, as well as with foreign law enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Scotland Yard.

Operations and Assassinations

The operation resulted in the assassination of several individuals believed to be responsible for the Munich massacre, including Mohammed Boudia, who was killed in Paris in 1973, and Hussein Al Bashir, who was killed in Beirut in 1973. Other targets included Ali Hassan Salameh, who was killed in Beirut in 1979, and Atef Bseiso, who was killed in Paris in 1992. The operation also involved the attempted assassination of several other individuals, including Mohammed Daoud Odeh, who was wounded in Tripoli in 1973. The operation was carried out using a variety of methods, including bombings, shootings, and poisonings, and it involved the use of explosives, guns, and poisons. Key locations involved in the operation included Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beirut, and Paris, and key events included the 1973 Israeli raid on Lebanon and the 1982 Lebanon War.

Aftermath and Consequences

The operation had significant consequences for Israel and the Middle East, including the escalation of tensions between Israel and PLO-affiliated groups, and the increase in counter-terrorism efforts by Israel and other countries. The operation also had significant consequences for the individuals involved, including the Mossad agents who carried out the operation, and the families of the victims of the Munich massacre. The operation was widely condemned by the international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the United States, and it led to a significant increase in tensions between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority. Key figures involved in the aftermath of the operation included Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, and Yasser Arafat, who were all major players in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Controversy and Criticism

The operation was widely criticized by the international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the United States, which condemned the use of assassination as a means of achieving counter-terrorism goals. The operation was also criticized by human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which argued that the operation involved extrajudicial killings and violations of international law. The operation was also the subject of controversy within Israel, with some arguing that it was a necessary response to the Munich massacre, and others arguing that it was a violation of Israeli law and international law. Key figures involved in the controversy surrounding the operation included Golda Meir, Menachem Begin, and Ariel Sharon, who were all major players in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Category:Israeli-Palestinian conflict