Western countries gave Mossad information used to track and kill Palestinian terrorists in 1970s
GuardianMAY 11
Declassified Documents Suggest Western Nations Secretly Aided Mossad's 1970s Assassination Campaign
Above: An armed officer takes position during the hostage crisis at the 1972 Munich Olympics on Sept. 6, 1972. Image copyright: Daily Express/Archive Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This intelligence-sharing network proved vital in combating the serious threat of Palestinian terrorism in Europe during the 1970s after the Munich massacre. European governments recognized the value of Mossad's contributions and saw targeted killings as a legitimate, if extrajudicial, policy to prevent future attacks, which undoubtedly saved lives.
Establishment-critical narrative
The complete lack of democratic oversight and accountability in this intelligence-sharing arrangement has set a dangerous precedent that continues today. Operating entirely in the shadows, these agencies conducted what amounted to an extrajudicial killing campaign on European soil, leading to civilian casualties and violations of national sovereignty.