Serge and Beate Klarsfeld, a couple dedicated to the pursuit of justice for Holocaust victims, experienced a life-threatening moment when a car bomb targeted them outside their residence in France. Renowned as 'Nazi hunters,' their activism focused primarily on locating and bringing to justice individuals who had participated in Nazi atrocities during World War II. On this particular day, a Renault motor car they owned was destroyed by a bomb, a clear message from those who opposed their efforts to reveal the past and seek accountability.

The Klarsfelds had spent years gathering evidence against war criminals, leading high-profile campaigns to ensure that these individuals did not escape justice. Their work has been vital in maintaining public awareness of the crimes committed during the Holocaust and the importance of holding people accountable for these actions. While the bomb attack was unsuccessful in harming the couple, it underscored the severe backlash and threats they faced from those who wished to maintain the secrecy surrounding wartime crimes.

In the aftermath of the bombing, the incident served as a stark reminder of the dangers involved in activism. The Klarsfelds continued their work with renewed determination, aware that their mission came with palpable risks. This act of violence against them drew international media attention, which further highlighted the ongoing struggle for justice concerning Nazi war criminals, illustrating the tension that remains between memory, history, and the quest for justice in post-war Europe.