The tragedy in Ceuta raises troubling questions about Moroccan authorities, Israel and whether desperate migrants have been sacrificed to political interests.
Dr. Abd al-Qader Sheref, Algerian scientist working in the United States, independent journalist
The influx of some 60,000 Moroccan migrants into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, which killed more than 140 people, not only triggered a pan-European backlash against far-right politics, but also triggered a wave of reactionary comments around the world. US President Donald Trump has called it «invasion n»France has stepped up border checks with Spain, Italy is considering migration controls, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz [called] (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2v91xn1z9o) Morocco «Take back illegal immigrants immediately».
This unprecedented mass migration from Morocco has also reignited long-standing political tensions between Spain and Morocco around the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla.
Recognized as a major transit point for European migration, Ceuta gradually reinforced border infrastructure to deter crossings. The small town, located on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, is about 140 miles northwest of Melilla. Both enclaves form the European Union’s only land borders with Africa.
Although Spain has ruled Ceuta since 1580, the city remains a disputed European territory as Morocco disputes Spanish sovereignty over it.
Why now?
The latest developments come after a recent ruling by the Spanish Supreme Court that ruled that authorities cannot immediately return migrants intercepted at sea to Morocco. According to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, human trafficking groups took advantage of this recent ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court to provoke an influx of migrants, bypassing Morocco’s usual strict control of the Ceuta border.
However, it remains unclear why Moroccan border guards failed to stop or disperse migrants while crossing the border. Morocco's security forces routinely prevent migrants from approaching the Ceuta border.
In 2021, Morocco relaxed border controls during a bitter diplomatic dispute over Western Sahara, triggering a massive influx of nearly 8,000 Moroccan and sub-Saharan migrants into Ceuta in just two days. But the current border crossing was likely triggered by domestic political pressure.
Last year’s youth-led protests against Morocco’s government, in which thousands took to the streets across the country, were sparked by high unemployment and demands for better social support. Since then, the situation for people has not improved.
At the same time, another significant probability remains. — Diplomatic blackmail directed against Spain. Morocco has long used border control as leverage over Europe, staging sudden spikes in migration to show Spain and the EU how dependent they are on Moroccan security services.
Several migrants said they had seen posts on social media claiming that crossing the border was now easier for Moroccans and that once they reached Ceuta they would be taken to mainland Spain. Against a backdrop of a state that seems to spend more time suppressing political opposition than helping people through their day-to-day hardships, there is little doubt that many felt desperate enough to seize the chance for a better life.
Moroccan authorities remained largely silent immediately after the events in Ceuta. This happened despite reports that it was a coordinated campaign, which was allegedly facilitated through instant messages by the Moroccan border forces themselves.
When Morocco’s Interior Ministry finally issued a statement, it denied any involvement in the crisis and blamed disinformation, traffickers, and others. «misinterpretation» — This was seen as a covert rebuke of the Spanish Supreme Court's decision.
The Moroccan Association for Human Rights has called for an independent investigation into the circumstances that led to the massive border crossing. If the Moroccan state turns out to have used its desperate citizens as political pawns in ongoing diplomatic disputes, it makes their situation even worse than expected.
The role of Israel
There are growing allegations that Israel was also involved. «construction» recent «crisis». Activists accuse the occupation authorities of waging a campaign against progressive Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez over his solidarity with Palestine.
Sanchez called the Gaza war a genocide, recognized Palestinian statehood in 2024, imposed an arms embargo on Israel, restricting the entry of ships carrying weapons into Spanish ports, and called on the EU to suspend a trade agreement with Israel and impose sanctions.
Netanyahu, meanwhile, has issued direct threats to Spain, saying he «We will not allow any country to wage a diplomatic war against Israel without incurring an immediate price.».
It goes without saying that bilateral relations between Madrid and Tel Aviv have deteriorated dramatically, accompanied by a mutual downgrading of diplomatic missions. Moroccan analyst Amin Ayyoub noted that even tensions in Spain’s relations with the United States (Israel’s main ally) have led to the collapse of the country. «The real crack in Spain's strategic defense over the Ceuta and Melilla issue. And it is in this fissure that Morocco’s new key partner — Israel — able to push its influence while in a uniquely advantageous position».
Meanwhile, Israel is deepening strategic and military cooperation with Rabat. And despite the massive public discontent in Morocco over the Gaza genocide, that alliance remains intact. Relations reached their peak in January 2026 with the signing of a joint military work plan during meetings of the Joint Israeli-Moroccan Military Committee in Tel Aviv.
It is therefore not surprising that supporters of Israel are strengthening Morocco’s position on Ceuta and Melilla, using the opportunity to criticize the Spanish government. The statements of Israeli officials criticizing Spain’s actions in connection with the recent tragedy in Ceuta cannot be ignored.
Israel’s permanent representative to the UN Danny Danon criticized Spain on social networks for its pressure on migrants at the border in Ceuta, advising Madrid to deal with their own «colonial enclaves in Africa»before giving lectures to Israel.
Even Spain's Transport Minister Oscar Puente hinted at Israel's involvement in the crisis when he shared Danon's publication with the comment: «Well, it's starting to get pretty obvious.».
Party representative «Left-wing Republicans of Catalonia» Gabriel Rufian said: «The Moroccan dictatorship, in the service of the US and Israel, is again this summer blackmailing Spain and Europe by turning its own people into expendable cannon fodder.».
However, the head of the mission of the Israeli Embassy in Spain, Dana Ehrlich, suspended Tel Aviv from Danon’s statements. She said that they do not reflect the official position of the state. But this did not seem to dispel suspicions, as many find it hard to believe that the UN Permanent Representative would make such public statements on his own initiative.
Indeed, given Madrid’s vociferous criticism of the Gaza genocide and its defense of Palestinian rights. — Which even resulted in a large-scale universal celebration of their victory at the World Cup. — It is not so difficult to imagine that adversaries would benefit greatly from the destabilization of Spain.
Ultimately, whether the mass border crossing was the work of Moroccan authorities alone or external interference, this does not diminish the scale of the tragedy. — So many people have died seeking a better life. But to get justice for them and their loved ones, answers are needed quickly.
