![]() The president "pledged to stand with Israel in this difficult time, and provide whatever assistance is necessary to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators," the White House said. Obama telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to offer his condolences. That country has blamed a suicide bomber for the attack, and Israel has accused Iran-backed Hezbollah of being behind the violence. ![]() The White House's expression of support came one day after a bomb killed seven people aboard a bus carrying Israeli tourists in Bulgaria. "Observing a moment of silence at the 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, when the world's attention is focused on this symbol of international cooperation and peace, would pay tribute to the slain athletes and coaches and would send a powerful message of unity in the fight against terrorism," she said through a spokesman. Here's a minute of silence right now."ĭemocratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, author of the Senate resolution, applauded the news. "Many people find that denial more than puzzling but insensitive. "I intend to note that the IOC denied the request," he tells THR. NBC sportscaster Bob Costas told The Hollywood Reporter this week that he will stage his own personal protest of the IOC decision. (The Salt Lake City games did, however, feature an elaborate dance number in memory of the late Florence Griffith-Joyner.) But there was no moment of silence for the victims of Munich, despite entreaties from relatives of the victims. When Romney ran the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, officials marked the 30th anniversary of the massacre (and, separately, American athletes carried a tattered American flag from the World Trade Center). "I hope this is the final impetus to get the International Olympic Committee to agree that a minute should be set aside at the Opening Ceremonies next Friday to honor those murdered Olympians," said Democratic Representative Eliot Engel.Ī spokeswoman for Mitt Romney, Andrea Saul, said the Republican standard-bearer had taken no public stance on the issue. A similar measure sailed unopposed through the House Foreign Affairs Committee in early June, but it was not clear on Thursday whether the full House would vote on the measure before the games begin. The Senate unanimously approved a resolution on June 25 calling on the IOC to hold such a tribute. But supporters of the homage have not given up, and a global campaign has been under way to convince the IOC to reverse its decision. In years past, the IOC has said that the Games are no place for what might be seen as a political statement. The International Olympic Committee has rejected the proposal, and said that the victims-killed by extremists of the Palestinian "Black September" group-would be honored at a separate ceremony. The son of slain Israeli wrestling coach Moni Weinberg, Guri Weinberg, welcomed the news on Twitter.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |