Israel, Spanish officials trade barbs amid Ceuta migrant crisis

Israel and Spanish officials traded barbs on social media as the migration crisis in Ceuta, Spain's enclave in North Africa, intensified. Israel's ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, attacked Madrid's immigration policy and referred to Ceuta and Melilla as colonial-era enclaves. Spain's Transport Minister Oscar Puente replied briefly on X: “Well, everything seems to be becoming quite clear.” In Spain, the comments fueled a debate that the wave of migrants from Morocco is not only a border issue, but also part of a geopolitical struggle after Madrid became outspoken in criticizing Israel's war in Gaza. Several politicians and commentators, including Gabriel Rufián and Carolina Alonso, linked the crisis to the interests of Israel and the United States, although no evidence was presented in this report.