Protecting our athletes

Editorial

The world has changed since Black September in 1972, when Palestinian terrorists killed 11 members of Israel's Olympic team at the games in Munich.

The transformation during the past three years has been most dramatic - with dozens of nations on the alert for Al-Qaida terrorists bent on destroying the United States, Israel and U.S. allies. August 2004 began with Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announcing an elevated terror alert because of "specific" information that Al-Qaida was planning to attack the nation's financial centers.

Israel, of course, has been on a 24/7 terror alert for years because of Palestinian militants determined to wipe out the Jewish nation.

The Olympic games are the greatest sports extravaganza in the world; this year's event in Athens will bring international friends and foes together beginning Aug. 13, amid unprecedented security. And Israel will be center stage, not because of the muscle of its athletes, but because of the proficiency of its security experts.

In contrast with being the victim in Munich in 1972, Israel is now world-renowned for its know-how in protecting civilians. Well it should be, as it is a country that can never let its guard down if it is to survive and thrive surrounded by enemies.

Israel is one of seven nations assisting Greek security forces at the first Olympic games since the 9/11 attacks against America in 2001. (The others are the United States, Britain, Australia, France, Germany and Spain.) Israel's key role includes training Greek police in crowd-safety contingencies and protecting VIPs should there be a terrorist attack.

Officials are tight-lipped about the details of the assistance the Jewish state is providing, but reports have indicated the Israeli Navy will help patrol Greece's extensive coastline. Israeli soldiers and intelligence officials will be coordinating with their Greek counterparts, the U.S. Army and NATO during the 16-day event, which concludes Aug. 29.

Meantime, Israel's own Olympic athletes will be under very tight security themselves. A double fence has been constructed around the compound where the Israelis will stay, and security will be reinforced by concrete barriers, sensors and military and police patrols.

We wish all the athletes success in the competition, and we trust that the cooperative security efforts will deter terrorists from attempting to "blacken" August and spoil the international goodwill the sporting event engenders.

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