Operation Wrath of God: Mossad’s response to the 1972 Munich Massacre

Abstract

This article investigates the operation Wrath of God – a covert series of assassinations based in Israel, carried out by Israel intelligence (Mossad) in response of Munich massacre in 1972, during which Palestinian group called Black September, killed eleven Israeli athletes. The mission changed the policy of Israel on counterterrorism significantly because it shifted toward the proactive diplomacy of global revenge. This study evaluates operation using qualitative case study approach to analyze operation using the aspects of national security strategy, regional intelligence measures and ethical imperative.

It discusses such important stakeholders, intelligence frameworks and national goals that fueled  the campaign such as deterrence against the enemy, safeguarding the citizens, revival of power, and displaying its intelligence capabilities. The results imply that the military operation had both short-term tactical success and strengthened the image of the modern state in which Israel is presented as a robust country, however, it also led to long-term diplomatic, ethical, moral, and legal issues regarding the legality of extrajudicial violence of state authorities. The paper helps in contributing to the body of knowledge about security studies, intelligence services, and legal operations in international relations giving a revelation on how the covert action is redefining the geopolitics of the situation in the fight against terrorism.