Earlier this week, at least 57 migrants died attempting to cross the border from Morocco into Ceuta, one of two Spanish enclaves on the African mainland. In just 24 hours, tens of thousands entered Ceuta, an influx Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned as a “violation of territorial integrity.” Many migrants reported being encouraged by social media posts to undertake the journey.

In the months leading up to this crisis, pro-Israel voices had notably raised the issue of Ceuta. Following the events, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, criticized Spain on social media, accusing it of hypocrisy for declaring a state of emergency over immigration while maintaining colonial enclaves in Africa. Danon stated, “maybe before [Spain] continues lecturing us, it’s time it explained to the world why it still maintains colonial enclaves in Africa.”

Spain’s government, led by Sanchez, has recently taken a critical stance toward Israel, labeling it a “genocidal state” and canceling major arms deals. The dispute highlights contrasting narratives, with Israel accused of perpetrating a genocide in the Gaza Strip and a colonial occupation in the West Bank, while Spain faces scrutiny over its territorial enclaves.

Israel normalized relations with several Arab nations through the Abraham Accords in 2020, becoming the fourth Arab nation to do so. The current tensions over Ceuta add a complex layer to Spain-Israel relations amid broader geopolitical dynamics.

Sources