Debate Surrounding Israel-US Involvement in Ceuta Immigration Crisis Emerges in Spain
Diplomatic tensions resulting from thousands of illegal migrants from Morocco entering the Spanish enclave of Ceuta are intensifying. Spanish politicians have alleged that the United States and Israel are involved behind the scenes of this issue.
According to reports from Anadolu Agency and The Times of Israel on Sunday (2/8/2026), these allegations surfaced after Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, and Spain’s Minister of Transport, Oscar Puente, exchanged barbs regarding the illegal migration problem in Ceuta. Relations between Spain and Israel are currently strained due to the situation in Gaza, Palestine.
Danon accused Spain of repeatedly criticising Israel, noting that Spain has declared a state of emergency in Ceuta due to the migration crisis. “Spain, which never misses an opportunity to lecture Israel, has declared a state of emergency in Ceuta following a crisis related to its immigration policy,” Danon wrote on X. “Perhaps before continuing to lecture us, it is time for them to explain to the world why they are still maintaining colonial enclaves in Africa,” he added, referring to the Spanish territories of Ceuta and Melilla on the Moroccan Mediterranean coast.
Puente responded to Danon’s post on X by writing, ‘Well, everything seems to be quite clear.’ Although the minister did not elaborate further, his statement has been widely interpreted as a response to Danon’s criticism and emerges amidst growing political debate in Spain regarding the migration crisis and Israel’s role in regional politics.
Carolina Alonso, a former member of the Madrid parliament and now a political observer in Spain, accused Israel of attempting to weaken the Spanish government in retaliation for Madrid’s stance on the war in Gaza. Alonso also shared a post regarding calls from some Italian politicians to suspend Spain’s membership in the Schengen Area. Alonso claimed such efforts are being conducted ‘through Morocco, with the support of Israel’ alongside the Spanish and European right-wing.
She also referenced Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s recent visit to Algeria. This visit was the first in four years after relations deteriorated in 2022, when Spain abandoned its long-held neutrality regarding Western Sahara and supported Morocco’s sovereignty claims over the disputed territory.
Alonso further alleged that the United States is attempting to undermine the Spanish government to expand its influence over the Strait of Gibraltar, suggesting the migration crisis has become part of a broader geopolitical struggle. The debate also involves Spanish MP Gabriel Rufián, spokesperson for the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), who echoed social media claims that the migration crisis serves the interests of the US and Israel. He called for a broad national consensus on the matter rather than partisan political confrontation.
Relations between Spain and Israel have deteriorated sharply since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023. Spain is among the European nations most critical of Israel’s military campaign, having recognised the State of Palestine in May 2024 and repeatedly calling for an immediate ceasefire and greater humanitarian access to Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Ambassador to Spain, Dana Erlich, stated that she is monitoring the situation in Ceuta, noting that Danon’s comments do not represent Israel. “The comments made by the Israeli Ambassador to the UN regarding this matter do not represent the position of the State of Israel,” Erlich wrote.