Archive · 2 Aug 2026
Spain‑Israel Clash Over Ceuta Migrant Surge
A huge number of people—about 60,000—tried to cross into a Spanish town called Ceuta from Morocco.
Many of them drowned, and at least 67 people died.
Spain said the migrants were helped by traffickers and that a court decision made it easier for them to come by sea.
Israel’s top diplomat on the UN said Spain was lecturing Israel and asked why it keeps colonies in Africa.
Spain’s transport minister said the situation was getting clearer.
Israel’s chargé d’affaires said the ambassador’s comments were not official Israeli policy.
The whole thing made people on both sides angry and led to a social‑media fight.
Around 60,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta, with at least 67 deaths reported.
Spain blamed human‑trafficking mafias and a July Supreme Court ruling for the surge.
Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon criticized Spain’s handling and questioned its colonial claims.
Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente responded with a brief social‑media post.
Israeli Chargé d’affaires Dana Erlich said the ambassador’s remarks were not official Israeli policy.
- Who
- Spanish government, Israeli diplomatic officials, and migrant groups
- What
- A surge of about 60,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, prompting a diplomatic spat between Spain and Israel
- When
- The incident occurred on a Saturday (exact date not specified in the article)
- Where
- Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the North African coast
- Why
- Spain blamed human‑trafficking networks and a Supreme Court ruling for the influx, while Israel’s ambassador criticized Spain’s handling of the crisis
- Migrant surge
- 60,000
- Deaths reported
- 67
- Enclaves involved
- Ceuta and Melilla
- Spanish Prime Minister
- Pedro Sánchez
- Israeli UN Ambassador
- Danny Danon
- Spanish Transport Minister
- Oscar Puente
- Israeli Chargé d'affaires
- Dana Erlich