Germany Closes Embassies in the Middle East

ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP/GettyImages

Germany Closes Embassies in the Middle East

Germany temporarily closes its doors in Arab countries due to increasing radical Islamic violence.

On September 20, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle announced that German embassies in many Middle Eastern countries would be closed on Friday, September 21. Officials were instructed to avoid the embassies, and Berlin has increased security at many of its diplomatic missions.

Germany is taking precautions in response to Muslims who are growing increasingly violent toward the West. The violence, including the murder of a United States ambassador and three other Americans in Libya, was allegedly sparked by an anti-Islamic video posted on YouTube titled The Innocence of Muslims. That claim is dubious, however, in light of the details surrounding the recent attack on the U.S. Embassy in Libya.

Islamic anger has mainly targeted America, but on September 14, angry Sudanese protesters stormed the German mission, broke windows, and set fire to the building. Germany has condemned the violence, but has not responded with force. The Khartoum embassy’s website says it is “closed until further notice.”

On Friday, 19 people were killed and more than 160 were injured according to reports coming out of Islamabad, Pakistan. The New York Times called it the “worst single day of violence” since the American ambassador was murdered on September 11.

Westerwelle declined to comment on precisely what Germany’s precautions are. “We have done everything within our means [to prevent further violent protests],” he said. “I can’t go into detail, because I don’t want to publicize the measures we’ve taken so far.”

Germany may be moving cautiously, but don’t assume that it will back down against Muslims in the same way the United States has. Daniel 11:40 prophesies that the “king of the south” will “push” against the “king of the north.” Matching biblical prophecy to current events, the king of the south can be identified as an Iranian alliance, and the king of the north as a German alliance. Although the headlines appear to point to a clash between the United States and Iran, it’s the tension between Iran and Germany that you need to watch for most. For more on this developing story, read our free booklet The King of the South, and “What Is Ahead for Europe.”