German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, will use her New Year's address to make a direct plea to Germans to not take part in protests against the 'Islamisisation' of Europe. In the pre-recorded speech, she warns that these movements can insight hatred against non-whites, and non-Christians.

A group called, ‘Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West’ has been staging weekly protests in Dresden. The numbers showing up at these rallies have swelled in the last two weeks - an estimated 17,500 people attended a demonstration on December 22nd.

The movement has appropriated the East German slogan, "Wir sind das Volk" (We are the people) - it was used to protest against Communist rule before the collapse of Soviet Union.

Germany has been encouraging immigration, and welcoming refugees from the Middle East - some 200,000 people arrived in the country in 2014. Most were fleeing conflicts in Iraq and Syria.

The German leader has registered her concerns about the movement before, but never in such a direct fashion. She says that when the protesters shout, ‘Wir sind das Volk,’ what they really mean is: "You don’t belong, because of the colour of your skin, or your religion."

She continues: "That is why I say to all who go to such demonstrations: Don’t follow those who call for this. Too often, there is prejudice, coldness or even hatred in their hearts.”

According to the text of the address, which has been released by the German government, Chancellor Merkel says that the conflict in Syria, the rise of the Islamic State, and the outbreak of Ebloa, have meant that war and crises have produced more refugees in 2014 than any time since World War II.

The Chancellor also uses the speech to address Russia's role in the on-going conflict in the Ukraine: “There is no question that we want security in Europe together with Russia, not against Russia,” she says - “But there is also no question that Europe cannot and will not accept a supposed right of the mightier, which does not respect international law.”