Eastern European nations are toughening their opposition to German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s plan to force them to take in refugees, arguing that the European Union’s immigration policies may have aided last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris.

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov on Tuesday called discussions on quotas for migrants “absurd” following the events in Paris, while Poland’s incoming Prime Minister Beata Szydlo said a day earlier the EU should review its stance on immigration, pledging to accept refugees only if they don’t endanger security. At least 129 people were killed in Paris on Friday, with a Syrian passport found next to the body of one of the suicide bombersregistered on the Greek island of Leros, suggesting the holder may have come into Europe claiming to be a political refugee.

The EU is increasingly split along east-west lines over how to deal with the immigration crisis as the European Commission estimates 3 million asylum seekers may be heading toward the bloc by 2017. A group of formerly communist countries led by Hungary, one of the nations most affected by the flood of migrants, have opposed German-led efforts to introduce a quota system to settle them, drawing criticism that the recipients of billions of euros in aid from western Europe aren’t willing to help their richer neighbors.

David Fuller's view

One can perhaps understand Angela Merkel who grew up in scary East Germany under the Soviet Union’s brutal rule.  Today, she clings to the EU ideal of a happy, united, Socialist, aspiring European superstate with open borders and free movement of citizens.  Moreover, she feels that Germany’s economy would benefit from a population increased by the addition of hardworking immigrants, provided they followed the rules and laws of the host country, had the opportunity of participation in that society and could live in a tolerant, multi-ethnic community.  

Well, yes, and London has certainly benefitted in becoming one of ‘France’s biggest cities’, thanks to the influx of highly educated, cultivated and entrepreneurial French economic migrants from Paris.  Needless to say, there is no religious, cultural or linguistic conflict resulting from this large addition to our population.  Moreover, it is further complemented by similar economic immigrants from other developed economies, not least European, plus the USA, Australia and South Africa.

Unfortunately, Paris does not have a similar experience with its largest group of immigrants in the last several decades.  Yes, there are many Muslims living peacefully and contributing successfully to France, the UK and all other developed economies.  However, a problem for our era is the growing number of disaffected, even radicalised Muslims who reject our liberal values and have no wish to integrate with our Western societies. 

If so, that is their choice and they should go home.  Muslim youths who were born in the West and/or came here with their parents at a young age and are now over 21, should be told that if they wish to go to Syria or any other Middle Eastern trouble spot and join Daesh, they will forfeit their Western citizenship and have no right to return. 

As for Europe’s current immigration crisis, we have seen how quickly this has spiralled out of control.  We also see how divisive this situation has become.  Even if most of these people are genuine refugees, fleeing Daesh themselves, as some of them surely are, and even if the majority proved to be hardworking, productive and aspiring immigrants, the numbers are already overwhelming.  They will also include economic migrants who are attempting to circumvent the normal application procedures for entry.  Additionally, it would be naïve to think that this largely Muslim young male population from a war zone did not contain some jihadists and terrorist sympathisers. 

We live in a world of mostly increasing populations and a number of troubled regions.  If Europe lets the immigrants amassing on our continent into our countries on a quota system this year, we should not be surprised if twice as many arrive next year.   

(See also: How Islamic State Funds Terror and Ferguson: and Like Roman Empire Europe’s Defenses Crumbling)