A video has gone viral on social media of German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a high school gymnasium bringing a teenage Palestinian refugee to tears after telling her that she is not welcome in Germany. What comes next is cringe inducing. Merkel tries to “hug” the teen named Reem Sahwil, 14, then settles on awkwardly stroking her arm. Thus, the hashtag #merkelstreichelt (Merkel strokes) along with images mocking the petting chancellor ensued.
The Guardian subtitled the video into English, which was filmed today at an event entitled, the “Good life in Germany” at a school in Rostock, Germany. Reem is one of many children at the forum and explained to Merkel that her family is facing deportation. They arrived in Germany from a Lebanese refugee camp four years ago, reported The Guardian.
– Read more: Angela Merkel makes a 14-year old Palestinian girl cry by telling her she is not welcome in Germany – Mondoweiss
