Merkel at a loss for words, pats Palestinian girl facing deportation
German chancellor faces ridicule after Palestinian refugee breaks down over Merkel’s pointed answer on asylum seekers.
German chancellor Angela Merkel found herself in an awkward situation, as she tried to comfort a Palestinian asylum seeker in danger of deportation from Germany. In a televised “Good life in Germany” discussion, Merkel was shown rubbing the crying teenager’s shoulders after telling her she would be unable to stop her family from being deported.
Reem, whose family fled from Lebanon to Rostock 4 years ago, told the chancellor in fluent German: “I have dreams like anyone else. I want to study, it is really a wish and an objective I want to accomplish.” Merkel responded saying she understood this: “politics is hard…of course you are a likable person…but you also know in the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon there are thousands [of people].” She added they could not manage all the refugees and some would have to go back. Reem began to cry after Merkel’s response and the chancellor attempted to console her by patting her shoulder.
#Merkelstreichelt (Merkel strokes) trended as many ridiculed and criticised the chancellor for her handling of the situation.