Israel revels in Spain's migrant crisis while embarrassing ally Morocco

What Happened

Israeli officials, including UN Ambassador Danny Danon and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, publicly mocked Spain after a surge of migration into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta left more than 60,000 Moroccan nationals attempting to cross and at least 70 dead. Danon falsely claimed Spain had declared a state of emergency, linking the crisis to Madrid's condemnation of Israel's military operations in Gaza and its refusal to back US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Ben Gvir taunted Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to 'open the doors' to Gaza residents. Analysts and diplomatic sources told Middle East Eye that the Israeli messaging was coordinated retaliation for Spain's pro-Palestinian stance, while Spanish officials privately believe Morocco deliberately opened the border gates ahead of its Throne Day celebrations—a move that jeopardized a recent diplomatic rapprochement between Madrid and Rabat.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The incident exposes how the Gaza war is reshaping diplomatic ties far beyond the conflict zone. Israel is weaponising migration crises to punish European states that break with its narrative, while the apparent Moroccan-engineered surge threatens the fragile normalisation deal Rabat struck with Israel in 2020 and could destabilise EU-North Africa relations on migration and Western Sahara.

Watch For

Spain’s formal reaction to Rabat after the Throne Day period ends; any public accusation that Morocco orchestrated the crossing. Also monitor whether Israel escalates its rhetorical campaign to question Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, per recent US House language, and whether Morocco’s alignment with Israel survives the public humiliation.