Anti-Semitic Terror: Munich’s Forgotten Attack
- MUNICH (AP) — A new lead has emerged in the examination into the 1970 arson attack on a Jewish community center in Munich that killed seven people, one...
- 13, 1970, at the Israelite cultural community center on Reichenbachstrasse in Munich's Glockenbachviertel district.
- Investigators believe the perpetrator,or perpetrators,entered the building around 9 p.m.
New Lead in 1970 Munich Arson Attack That Killed 7 Jewish Residents
MUNICH (AP) — A new lead has emerged in the examination into the 1970 arson attack on a Jewish community center in Munich that killed seven people, one of the deadliest and most quickly forgotten acts of violence in postwar germany. The case, long unsolved, may be shifting toward a suspect with ties to right-wing extremism.
The attack occurred on the evening of Feb. 13, 1970, at the Israelite cultural community center on Reichenbachstrasse in Munich’s Glockenbachviertel district. The building, an older structure with wooden stairs, was not under constant police protection, a stark contrast to the security measures in place at Jewish institutions in Germany today.
Investigators believe the perpetrator,or perpetrators,entered the building around 9 p.m. After disabling the elevator on the fourth floor, the individual(s) proceeded to the stairwell, where approximately 20 liters of a gasoline and oil mixture were spread.The accelerant was then ignited as the assailant(s) fled the scene.
The ensuing fire rapidly engulfed the building, trapping residents inside. The building housed a Jewish old age home and student accommodations. Over 50 people were present in the building on that Friday evening, as Shabbat was beginning.
“We are gassed,we are burned!”
Firefighters arrived quickly,but witnesses reported hearing a woman scream,”We are gassed,we are burned!” Many residents were rescued,with 15 suffering injuries. However, seven individuals perished in the blaze: David Jakubowicz, Leopold Arie Body Gimpel, Regina Rivka Becher, Siegfried offenbacher, Max Meir Blum, and the married couple Rosa Printer and Georg Eljakim Pfau. All were between the ages of 59 and 71 and were Holocaust survivors.
Details that emerged later underscored the tragedy. David Jakubowicz,who survived a Nazi extermination camp,had recently returned to Munich from New York and planned to immigrate to Israel. His departure was delayed by only a few days due to Shabbat, according to the Süddeutsche Zeitung.
Leopold Gimpel was on the second floor and briefly went to the fourth floor to return a book to a friend when the fire erupted. His wife was rescued from their apartment. Max Meir Blum, 71, jumped from the fourth floor in an attempt to escape the flames but did not survive the fall.
Earlier Focus on Left-Wing Extremists
A special commission of 60 investigators explored various leads, including neo-Nazis, Palestinian terrorist groups, and left-wing extremists. However, the investigation stalled, and the case went cold. Over the years, the investigation was reopened and afterward discontinued. Suspicion had fallen on the Tupamaros, a left-wing extremist group associated with Fritz Teufel and Dieter Kunzelmann, who had previously planted a bomb at the Jewish community center in Berlin in 1969.
historian Wolfgang Kraushaar, in his 2013 book, theorized that German leftists, possibly in collaboration with Palestinians, were responsible for the attack. Heinz Galinski, later president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, also suspected such a connection in 1970.
This theory gained traction because just three days prior to the arson, Palestinian terrorists attacked passengers on an EL-AL flight at Munich Airport. An Israeli man, Arie Katzenstein, died after throwing himself on a grenade, saving other passengers. A memorial was recently dedicated at the former airport site on the 55th anniversary of the attack.
New Suspect Implicated
According to Der Spiegel, the new lead involves a deceased man from Munich’s criminal underworld. The suspect, who is no longer alive, reportedly had a history of criminal activity in the 1970s and espoused anti-Semitic and right-wing extremist views. It is unclear to whom he made these statements.
Details regarding the suspect’s potential role as the primary perpetrator, possible accomplices, or the source of the details remain unclear. It is also unknown whether he had connections to right-wing extremist groups. The Attorney General’s office announced last week that the investigation had been reopened based on a tip received by Andreas Franck, the anti-semitism officer of the Bavarian judiciary.
The tip implicated a specific individual, and the suspicion was deemed plausible. Despite the suspect’s death, an investigation for seven counts of murder has been initiated to determine the perpetrator’s motive. franck declined to comment on the specifics reported by Der Spiegel,citing the ongoing investigation.
If confirmed, a right-wing extremist motive would place Munich prominently in the history of right-wing terrorism in Germany. The city was also the site of the 1980 Oktoberfest bombing and the 2016 attack at the Olympic shopping center, which together resulted in 21 deaths and over 200 injuries.
New Lead in 1970 Munich Arson Attack: Your Questions answered
Here’s a breakdown of the 1970 Munich arson attack and the latest developments, answering common questions to provide clarity and understanding.
What happened in the 1970 Munich arson attack?
On February 13, 1970, an arson attack targeted the Israelite cultural community center on reichenbachstrasse in Munich, Germany. The fire resulted in the deaths of seven people and injured 15 others. The building housed a Jewish old age home and student accommodations. The attack occurred on a Friday evening as Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, was beginning.
Where did the arson attack take place?
The arson attack occurred at the israelite cultural community center on Reichenbachstrasse in Munich’s Glockenbachviertel district.
Who were the victims of the 1970 Munich arson attack?
The seven individuals who perished in the blaze were: David Jakubowicz, Leopold Arie Body Gimpel, Regina Rivka Becher, Siegfried Offenbacher, Max Meir Blum, and the married couple Rosa Printer and Georg Eljakim Pfau. All were between the ages of 59 and 71, and all were Holocaust survivors.
What is the new lead in the investigation?
A new lead has emerged in the investigation that may shift the focus toward a suspect with ties to right-wing extremism. This suspect,who is deceased,reportedly had a history of criminal activity in the 1970s and expressed anti-semitic and right-wing extremist views. The Attorney General’s office reopened the investigation based on a tip.
what were the initial theories about the perpetrators?
Initially, investigators explored leads involving:
Neo-Nazis
Palestinian terrorist groups
Left-wing extremists
The investigation eventually stalled, and the case went cold.
What is the ancient context of this attack?
The attack is one of the deadliest acts of violence in postwar germany and occurred during a time of heightened political tension and,in some circles,increasing anti-Semitism. The article also connects this event to other acts of violence in Munich, including the 1980 oktoberfest bombing and the 2016 attack at the Olympic shopping center.
Why is the new lead important?
The potential involvement of a right-wing extremist would place the Munich arson attack within the history of right-wing terrorism in Germany. The article specifically mentions the potential impact the investigation would have if confirmed, citing the Oktoberfest bombing and 2016 Olympic shopping center attack.
What security measures were in place at the time compared to today?
The building was not under constant police protection at the time of the attack. This is a stark contrast to the security measures in place at Jewish institutions in Germany today.
what specific details about the attack are known?
Investigators believe the perpetrator(s) entered the building around 9 p.m., disabled the elevator, and spread a gasoline and oil mixture in the stairwell before igniting it. Witnesses reported hearing a woman scream, “We are gassed, we are burned!”
Has anyone been charged in connection to the attack?
No one has been charged in connection to the attack according to the provided article. The investigation has been reopened due to a new lead.
What are the key takeaways from this event?
| Aspect | Detail |
| ——————— | ———————————————————————————————————————————————————- |
| Date of Attack | February 13, 1970 |
| Location | Israelite cultural community center, Reichenbachstrasse, Munich |
| Casualties | 7 dead, 15 injured |
| Suspect | Deceased man from Munich’s criminal underworld; history of criminal activity and right-wing extremist views |
| Previous Focus | Neo-Nazis, Palestinian terrorists, and left-wing extremists |
| Current Status | Investigation reopened; potential shift to right-wing extremist motive; still an open case |
| *Significance