Angela Merkel says terrorist attacks by asylum seekers ‘mock’ Germany but she stands by open door policy

GERMAN Chancellor Angela Merkel last night vowed to keep her open door policy for refugees despite a spate of recent terror attacks.
The country has been rocked by four brutal incidents in a week that have left 10 innocent people dead – with three carried out by asylum seekers.

6

It has sparked demands for Mrs Merkel to tear up her controversial stance of welcoming outsiders in need which brought nearly 1.1 million migrants to Germany last year.
But after cutting short her summer holiday to face the media, she insisted jihadists must not be allowed to force a change in direction.

6

6

RELATED STORIES

pool terror

Muslim gang storms German nudist pool spitting at kids and threatening to 'exterminate sluts'

THE ISIS 'RAMBO'

Germany suicide bomb nut who pledged allegiance to ISIS blew himself up at Ansbach bar after plot to massacre 2,500 at festival was foiled

MARRY-O GOMEZ

Germany ace Mario Gomez ties the knot in Munich as gunman goes on rampage - days after leaving Besiktas due to terror threat

EURO TERROR MAYDAY

PM blasts French and German security services during first official visit to Rome

Mrs Merkel said: “The terrorists want to make us lose sight of what is important to us, break down our cohesion and sense of community as well as inhibiting our way of life, our openness and our willingness take in people who are in need.
“They see hatred and fear between cultures and they see hatred and fear between religions. We stand decisively against that.”
Mrs Merkel described the four attacks as “shocking, oppressive and depressing” but insisted they were not a sign that authorities had lost control.
That came after PM Theresa May issued a thinly-veiled dig at Germany for not stopping the attacks.

6

6

A shocking week of violence saw an axe rampage, shooting spree, knife attack and a suicide bombing.
Two of the assaults were claimed by IS militants.
It follows similar atrocities in France and Belgium.
But Mrs Merkel said: “Despite the great unease these events inspire, fear can’t be the guide for political decisions.
“It is my deep conviction that we cannot let our way of life be destroyed.”

6

Her refusal to budge is likely to hurt her Christian Democratic Party at the ballot box when elections take place in her home state this September.
The populist Alternative for Germany has led calls for a change in direction.
It has demanded “effective border controls” in the wake of the incidents.