STANDING FIRM

Merkel Stands by Refugee Policy Despite Terror Attacks

Criticism mounts after recent terror incidents.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel stands by her policy of accepting Syrian refugees, despite criticism over a recent spate of terror attacks in the country. A suicide bombing this Sunday near a German music festival, which injured 15, and ax attack last week that injured five, were both carried out by asylum-seekers. “They want to divide our unity, our cooperation, they want to harm our life,” Merkel said Thursday of the terrorist attacks. “They want to prevent our openness to welcoming people. They spread hate between cultures and also among religions.” Germany is currently Europe's most receptive country for refugees, acception more than 1 million asylum seekers in 2015.