Europe Unites Over Paris Massacre
More than 40 heads of state gathered in Paris on Sunday to denounce the terrorist attacks that rocked the French capital, leaving 17 dead in three days. French President François Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron were among the world leaders present as over 1 million people participated in the largest rally in France’s history.
Many other nations demonstrated on Sunday to express their solidarity with France. Around 18,000 people gathered in Germany’s capital in a silent rally. The demonstration was held in front of the French embassy next to Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg Gate. Many brought flowers or pencils and held signs saying “Je suis Charlie” or “Je suis Juif,” meaning “I am Charlie” and “I am a Jew.”
Around 20,000 marched silently in the center of Brussels, Belgium. Several hundred Spanish Muslims, with the support of more than 50 mosques, marched in Madrid’s Atocha Square, carrying banners saying “Not in our name.” The square is next to the train station bombed in a 2004 Islamic terrorist attack that killed 191 people.
These demonstrations and the support for France show how radical Islam could unify Europe. Over 3 million people across Europe turned out to demonstrate their support.
Europe’s Catholic history with its wars against Islam also provides energy to these movements. On Monday, Pope Francis denounced the religious fundamentalism that inspired the Paris massacres. In his foreign policy address, the pope called upon the international community to reach a unanimous response to end “fundamentalist terrorism” in the Middle East.
The Trumpet forecasts that the pope’s calls to defeat radical Islam and its aggressive policies will be answered by a German-led Europe. These demonstrations are just one indication that this forecast will be proven right.
For more details, watch Gerald Flurry’s Key of David program “The Whirlwind.”