German Chancellor Angela Merkel drew mockery online on Thursday for stroking the back of a Palestinian girl facing possible deportation after she had reduced her to tears by explaining her policy on asylum and adding that "sometimes politics is hard".

During a discussion forum in the northern city of Rostock organized by the chancellor"s office, Reem told Merkel in good German she wanted to study in Germany. It was unpleasant that she could not share the enjoyment of life experienced by her peers because of uncertainty over whether she will be able to stay, she said.

"I understand," said Merkel. "However ... sometimes politics is hard. When you stand in front of me and you are a very nice person, but you know in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon there are thousands and thousands (of people) and if we say you can all come and you can all come from Africa and you can all come. We can"t manage that."

At that point Reem cried.Looking surprised, Merkel walked up to her and said: "Ah, you did a great job." She then stroked Reem on the back.

Reflecting mounting resentment among Germans, the number of attacks on refugees is rising. So far this year there have been 150 such attacks, already nearly as many as in the whole of last year. President Joachim Gauck this month warned that xenophobic attitudes are taking root.