Asaf Rozentzweig (N12) reports that the New York Times spoke with Moroccan migrants who crossed into Ceuta, and they said Moroccan authorities encouraged them to make the border crossing. The claim adds a new dimension to the ongoing crisis at the Spanish enclave.
An Asaf Rozentzweig (N12) report citing the New York Times quotes Moroccan migrants who entered Ceuta on Thursday as saying that Moroccan authorities encouraged them to cross the border. The migrants, who were part of a massive wave that saw tens of thousands of people breach the border fence, told the newspaper that officials in Morocco actively urged them to proceed into the Spanish territory.
The Zioneer has reported extensively on the Ceuta crisis, which began on Thursday when an estimated 60,000 Moroccan nationals crossed into the enclave within hours. Spanish authorities reported that over 25,000 migrants have since returned to Morocco, with many citing harsh conditions. The death toll from the crossing attempts has risen to at least 57, according to Spanish news agency reports.
The claim of official Moroccan encouragement, if confirmed, would mark a significant escalation in the diplomatic dimension of the crisis. The Moroccan government has not yet responded to the allegation. The report remains unverified from Moroccan sources.
- DevelopingAbu Ali Express: Spanish police, soldiers not intervening in Ceuta as migrants mock authorities
- DevelopingNYT: Spanish police encouraged migrants to enter Spain
- DevelopingCeuta migrants seek places to sleep without property owners' consent, reports say
- DevelopingMoroccan source tells ynet: Many in Morocco say Ceuta is under Spanish occupation
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