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Chinese intelligence and academic circles suspect that Israel orchestrated the recent mass migration crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, El Mundo reported on August 6.
The report cites speculation circulating in Beijing suggesting the border surge was a calculated hybrid warfare operation directed by Mossad and facilitated by Morocco to destabilize the Spanish government.
The strategic assessment links the disruption directly to the deteriorating diplomatic relations between Madrid and Tel Aviv. Spain has faced severe backlash from Israel following its vocal criticism of the war on the Gaza Strip and its official recognition of a Palestinian state.
The intelligence theory advanced in Beijing is actively discussed among diplomats and political analysts close to the Chinese political establishment.
These circles continually question the timing of the border surge and its correlation with Madrid’s shifting Middle East policies.
“Since the normalization of relations in 2020, Morocco and Israel have become allies and strengthened their defense and intelligence cooperation,” a diplomat familiar with the matter told El Mundo.
This assessment is not far-fetched. Yair Netanyahu, the outspoken son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, provoked sharp condemnation across Spain’s political establishment in 2019 when he called for an Arab invasion of Ceuta and nearby Melilla.
Replying to Spanish political criticism regarding Israeli actions in the West Bank at the time, the younger Netanyahu posted a map highlighting Spain’s North African possessions alongside a blunt provocation: “Dear Arabs and Muslims. Want to free occupied Arab Islamic lands? Here’s a good start!”
The recent crisis sparked a similar exchange between Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Danon and Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente.
Danon accused Spain of repeatedly criticizing Israel over Gaza while declaring a state of emergency in Ceuta over a migration crisis.
“Spain, which never misses an opportunity to lecture Israel, has declared a state of emergency in Ceuta following the crisis over its immigration policy,” Danon wrote on X.
“Maybe before it continues lecturing us, it’s time it explained to the world why it still maintains colonial enclaves in Africa,” he added, referring to the Spanish territories of Ceuta and Melilla on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast.
Quoting Danon’s post on X, Puente responded: “Well, it all seems to be becoming quite clear.” While the minister did not elaborate, his remark was widely interpreted as a response to Danon’s criticism.
There has also been growing political debate in Spain over the migration crisis and Israel’s role in politics in the surrounding region.
Spanish political commentator Carolina Alonso alleged that Israel was seeking to undermine Spain’s government in retaliation for Madrid’s stance on the war in Gaza.
Sharing a post about calls by some Italian politicians to suspend Spain from the Schengen area, Alonso claimed the effort was being carried out “through Morocco, with the support of Israel,” as well as Spain’s and Europe’s far right. She also accused the United States of attempting to weaken Spain’s government to expand its influence over the Strait of Gibraltar, arguing that the migration crisis had become part of a broader geopolitical struggle.
Spanish lawmaker Gabriel Rufián, the parliamentary spokesperson for the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), also echoed claims on social media that the migration crisis was serving U.S. and Israeli interests. He called for a broad national consensus on the issue instead of partisan political confrontation.
National newspapers have published columns this week warning of a possible “Green March 2.0”, drawing comparisons with Morocco’s use of mass popular mobilization to take control of Spanish Sahara in 1975.
Ceuta and Melilla are among the last remnants of Spain’s once-vast empire. Madrid has controlled the cities since 1668 and 1497, respectively. Both are fully integrated into Spain and the European Union. Morocco, however, has maintained its claim to sovereignty over the two cities since gaining independence from France in 1956.
There is little doubt that the recent migrant crisis was at least facilitated by Morocco, and with the current rift between Spain and Israel, the involvement of the latter is more than suspected. While the situation has been brought back under control for now, Madrid should expect more escalation.
With Israel significantly deepening security and military ties with Morocco in recent years, a front against Spain may be forming across the Strait of Gibraltar.
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