Is Spain Being 'Punished' for Its Stance on Israel?

Earlier this week, at least 57 migrants died attempting to cross the border from Morocco into Ceuta, one of Spain's two territories on the African continent. Within 24 hours, tens of thousands of people flooded into Ceuta, prompting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to condemn the event as a "violation of territorial integrity."

Many migrants interviewed said they were encouraged to make the journey via social media posts. In this context, Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, posted on X that "Spain, which never misses an opportunity to lecture Israel, has declared a state of emergency in Ceuta following their immigration policy crisis."

Prime Minister Sanchez's government has become increasingly critical of Israel, calling it a "genocidal state" and canceling major arms deals. In 2024, Spain recognized the state of Palestine. In his post, Danon also suggested that Spain should explain why it maintains colonial territories in Africa.

Along with Melilla, Ceuta is claimed by Morocco. Unlike Spain, Morocco enjoys good relations with Israel. In 2020, it joined the Abraham Accords, becoming the fourth Arab nation to normalize ties with Israel through that agreement.

Spain's Transport Minister Oscar Puente responded to Danon's post, saying, "Well, things are becoming quite clear." This was seen as a veiled reference to speculation that Israel was behind the migrant wave into Ceuta to punish Spain for its anti-Israel stance.

Such speculation has been fueled by public statements from Israeli officials and pro-Israel commentators. Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin wrote that Moroccans should gather at the border and march into Ceuta and Melilla to raise the Moroccan flag. Commentator Amine Ayoub, writing on Ynet News, suggested Israel should "help Morocco reclaim" Ceuta and Melilla, framing it as a way to punish a NATO member that has been uncooperative in the war against Iran.

When the war broke out in late February, Spain refused to allow the U.S. to use its military bases. Subsequently, there were reports that the U.S. proposed suspending Spain's membership in NATO. Ayoub argued that helping Morocco reclaim Ceuta and Melilla would serve U.S. and Israeli interests while punishing a NATO member that "has repeatedly chosen to obstruct rather than cooperate."

U.S. President Donald Trump also used the Ceuta events to criticize Sanchez's government and warn of a similar scenario in the U.S. if the Democrats regained power. He said, "That's terrible. Remember that picture. That will be us in three years if the wrong people take over."

Whether Israel was genuinely involved in the Ceuta events remains unverified. However, statements from pro-Israel officials and commentators indicate a willingness to exploit the situation to attack Spain, which has been one of Europe's most outspoken critics of Israel's military campaign in Gaza.