"Naturally, it is a terrible, despicable crime when, as in Munich, people are taken hostage, people are killed. But probing the motives of those responsible and showing that they are also individuals with families and have their own story does not excuse what they did"

Steven Spielberg addresses the complexity of understanding those responsible for horrific acts like the Munich hostage crisis. He recognizes the undeniable horror and criminality involved in the act of taking hostages and killing people, labeling it as "terrible" and "despicable". By stating this clearly, he affirms the severity of the crime and leaves no doubt about his moral stance regarding such violence.

However, Spielberg then delves into the importance of exploring the motives of the perpetrators. He signals the value of probing deeper than the surface facts of the crime, suggesting that understanding the backgrounds, personal histories, and familial ties of those who commit such acts is a worthwhile endeavor. This does not mean condoning or justifying the violence; rather, it is an attempt to present these individuals as multi-dimensional human beings rather than caricatures of evil. Through this approach, Spielberg highlights the human tendency to dehumanize those labeled as criminals or terrorists, and he challenges us to look beyond binary divisions of good and evil, even when confronted by actions we find appalling.

Crucially, Spielberg draws a boundary between understanding and excusing. He is careful to state that contextualizing the perpetrators, acknowledging that they have families and personal histories, must not equal providing excuses or diminishing accountability for their actions. His stance suggests that empathy or curiosity about a person’s motivations need not be at odds with a firm judgment of their deeds. This perspective is especially relevant in storytelling and journalism, where the temptation to flatten complex individuals into villains can lead to narratives that are less truthful and insightful. Spielberg advocates for a more nuanced and humane depiction of all people, without ever losing sight of moral judgments or the gravity of their actions.