New Statesman
·Aug 2026
The Ceuta crisis has exposed Europe's hollow centre
The Ceuta incursion is presented as a coordinated hybrid attack originating in Morocco rather than a spontaneous migration wave, with security footage and the scale of the operation cited as evidence. The article argues that European governments, far-right politicians, Trump and allied media reacted with panic and opportunism, blaming Spain instead of supporting it and exposing the collapse of European solidarity. Spain’s immigration policy, advocacy of a European defence system and criticism of US and Israeli actions are portrayed as reasons for the hostility toward Pedro Sánchez. After more than 100 people died and 48,000 were returned to Morocco following diplomacy between Madrid and Rabat, the immediate crisis receded, but the author warns that Morocco may be emboldened to pursue Ceuta and Melilla and that Europe’s political institutions have been left weak and hollow by years of crisis.