Spanish Prime Minister Reacts to Migrant Influx in Ceuta
Following a mass breach of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta by thousands of migrants, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared the event an attack on national sovereignty. Israel has called on Madrid to exercise restraint.
Following the storming of the city of Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, by thousands of migrants, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reacted sharply to the events:
"What happened yesterday in Ceuta is an attack on national sovereignty, and we will use all the state's capabilities to defend it."
Israel's Ambassador to the UN also responded to the crisis, stating that Spain, "a country that never misses an opportunity to criticize Israel," has declared a state of emergency in Ceuta. The ambassador took the opportunity to criticize Spain in return:
"Perhaps Spain should explain why it still maintains enclaves with colonial characteristics in Africa before it continues to lecture the world."
Israel called on Spain to act with restraint, protect the rights of refugees, and ensure that the army does not use violence against innocent civilians.
The incident in the Spanish enclave began after thousands of people attempted to enter Spanish territory, resurfacing the acute immigration crisis on the southern border with Morocco. Thousands of people attempted to cross by walking on the ground and then by swimming around the breakwater that marks the border. The event, which was relatively moderate in the early morning, went out of control during the afternoon hours.
The cities of Ceuta and Melilla are the only two European territories located on the African continent, making them a major target and a sought-after entry channel for thousands of migrants seeking to reach the European Union. Migration from Morocco to these cities 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 prohibits the immediate return of minors arriving in Ceuta. This sparked criticism from some Spanish elements who believe this encourages crossing attempts, while political bodies have called for amending immigration law to close this legal loophole.
