Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Germans on Saturday to hold firm
to democratic values in the face of jihadist terror, urging them to
counter "murderers who are full of hate" with compassion and cohesion.
In her New Year's address delivered less than two weeks after a
Tunisian suspect rammed a truck into a crowded Christmas market in
Berlin, killing 12 people, Merkel acknowledged it was "bitter and
sickening" that the attack and others in July were carried out by asylum
seekers.
Nevertheless, she defended her decision in September 2015 to let in
tens of thousands fleeing war from mostly Arab and Muslim nations.
"When we look at the images of bombed out Aleppo in Syria, we have to
say once again how important and right it was for us to have helped
those who needed our protection to find their way here and to
integrate," she said.
Merkel said it was through such values of humanity and openness that Germany should face down those who espouse hate.
"As we go on with our lives and work, we tell the terrorists: You are
murderers full of hate, but you will not determine how we live and want
to live. We are free, compassionate and open," she said.
Merkel has been under fire over her liberal refugee policy, as the
arrival of around a million people over the past two years has deeply
polarised society.
Two other attacks carried out in July by asylum seekers, and the
December 19 assault have emboldened right-wing populist critics. The
German leader promised that the government will in 2017 "swiftly put in
place and implement any necessary political or legal changes" to close
down any security gaps, after the Berlin truck attack exposed serious
failures.
But she cautioned against placing certain groups of people under a blanket of suspicion.
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