After thousands of migrants stormed the city of Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, Spain’s anti-Israel Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez responded sharply Friday to the events, declaring: “What happened yesterday in Ceuta is an attack on national sovereignty, and we will use all the capabilities of the state to defend it.”
Israel’s ambassador to the UN also responded to the crisis, noting that Spain—”a country that never misses an opportunity to criticize Israel”—declared a state of emergency in Ceuta following a crisis related to its own immigration policy.
1+The ambassador seized the opportunity to criticize Spain right back: “Perhaps Spain should explain why it still maintains enclaves with colonial characteristics in Africa before it continues to preach to the world,” and noted that Israel calls on Spain to act with restraint, protect refugee rights, and ensure the military does not use violence against innocent civilians.
The incident in the Spanish enclave began yesterday after thousands of people tried to enter Spanish territory, reigniting the acute immigration crisis Spain faces on its southern border with Morocco. The thousands first tried to cross on foot and then by swimming around the breakwater that marks the border. The incident, which early in the morning was still proceeding relatively calmly with dozens entering by swimming, spiraled out of control by midday.
1+The cities of Ceuta and Melilla are the only two European territories located on the African continent on Moroccan soil, and as such they are a major destination and sought-after entry channel for thousands of migrants seeking to reach European Union territory.
Immigration from Morocco to the Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla has become a sensitive political issue between the two countries in recent years. These developments coincided with a legal and political debate within Spain, following a Supreme Court ruling that immediate return of minors arriving in Ceuta cannot be enforced. This sparked criticism from some Spanish quarters who believed it could encourage an increase in crossing attempts, while political bodies called for amending immigration law to close this legal loophole.