The German Chancellor has been criticised for telling a Palestinian girl that her family might be deported because: 'You can't all come'

The German Chancellor has been criticised for telling a Palestinian girl that her family might be deported because: 'You can't all come.'

Angela Merkel made the comments during a discussion with a group of schoolchildren at an event about 'living in Germany'.

The girl, known as Reem, surprised Merkel when she revealed her family had been waiting for four years to receive permanent residency.

She added that they could be forced to leave the country because her father could not continue his welding work on a temporary permit.

She said: 'It's really difficult to see that others are really able to enjoy their lives and you yourself can't enjoy it with them.'

According to The Local, the Chancellor hesitated for a minute before replying: 'You are an extremely nice person.

'You know, in the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon there are thousands and thousands [of people]. If we now say "you can all come"... we just can't manage that.'

The answer left Reem, who has studied for four years in Rostock and is fluent in English and German, in tears.

Merkel quickly walked over to her to stroke her hair, stating: 'You did a great job'.

She then tried to explain to the presenter: 'I know it's a difficult situation. That's why I want to comfort her.'

The tense exchange has been widely discussed on social media, with many using the hashtag #Merkelstreichelt (Merkel strokes) alongside their criticisms.

Jan Schnorrenberg, manager of the opposition Green party's youth wing, wrote: 'Explaining to a young girl on live camera that her fate doesn't matter to you - just shameful.'

The girl, known as Reem (pictured crying), surprised Angela Merkel when she revealed her family could be forced to leave the country because her father could not continue his welding work on a temporary residency permit

Katrin Goering-Eckardt, a senior lawmaker with the opposition Green party, added: 'The mistakes in the government's refugee policies can't be patted away.'

Jeff Mannes said: 'Merkel confronted with crying young refugee. Reacts by "petting" her and saying that some have to go back. Speechless... #merkelstreichelt.'

And Matthias Grandis wrote: 'Merkel, a Christian, has no heart, no empathy and no understanding of the real world. Heartbreaking.'

The tense exchange has been widely discussed on social media, with many using the hashtag #Merkelstreichelt (Merkel strokes) alongside their criticisms

The Chancellor quickly walked over to Reem after the remark to stroke her hair, stating: 'You did a great job'

At one point the presenter reminded Merkel it was a 'difficult situation' to which she replied: 'I know it's a difficult situation'

Merkel made the comments during a discussion with a group of schoolchildren at an event about 'living in Germany'

A release sent out by Merkel's PR team may also have inflamed the situation after it claimed Reem was crying due to agitation at the government's plan to introduce a faster asylum process.

The comments emerged as the Chancellor also revealed she is opposed to gay marriage and believes matrimony should be restricted to just heterosexual couples.