MADRID, Spain: Danny Danon’s remarks describing Ceuta and Melilla as “colonial enclaves” triggered a dispute with Spain before another Israeli diplomat disavowed them on July 31.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations accused Madrid of hypocrisy over its military deployment during the mass arrival of migrants in Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa.
Danon said Spain frequently criticised Israel, but should explain why it maintained enclaves on the African continent. He also claimed Madrid had declared a state of emergency in Ceuta.
However, the Spanish government had said it could not apply the national civil-protection emergency mechanism to the migration crisis. Spanish law does not classify migration flows as a civil-protection risk, Europa Press reported.
Read: Spain’s PM Visits Ceuta After 34 Migrants Die Breaching Border from Morocco
Israel’s acting ambassador to Spain, Dana Erlich, later said Danon’s comment did not represent the position of the State of Israel.
She added that Israel was monitoring the situation and supported cooperation and dialogue, according to the Times of Israel.
Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente responded to Danon’s post by writing that events were “becoming quite clear,” without elaborating.
The row unfolded after between 50,000 and 60,000 people crossed from Morocco into Ceuta by land and sea. Spanish authorities deployed military and police reinforcements after at least 67 people died during the crossings.
Spain considers Ceuta and Melilla integral parts of its territory. Morocco disputes Spanish sovereignty over both autonomous cities.
