Stark images of thousands of migrants swarming across Africa’s border with Europe during the Ceuta crisis appeared heaven sent for far-right polemicists. They constructed dismal reactions within hours of Morocco allowing the young and fit to get into the Spanish exclave. Cameramen were all conveniently on hand to record last Friday’s drama, as the notoriously dishonest politicians emoted to order.

“Make no mistake, these men are on their way to the UK right now,” former British Home Secretary Suella Braverman posted on X, in a manner that was as untruthful as it was inflammatory. Priti Patel, a politician with a shameful record for corruption, who once held the same position as Braverman, also claimed they would “inevitably try to make their way to the UK”.

In fact, none of those involved were going anywhere near Britain. The vast majority – more than 40,000 – were back in Morocco within a day, as what looked like a coordinated stunt fizzled out almost as quickly as it started.

What rabble-rousers like Braverman and Patel failed to mention at all, of course, was the scandalous loss of life. At least 80 people drowned during the day, in absolutely horrific circumstances, which included swimmers being held under the water by the sheer number of other bodies trying to get around sea obstacles.

There had been viral messages on social media highlighting a Spanish Supreme Court ruling of July 8 that anyone entering Ceuta by sea would no longer be kicked out immediately. More incriminating still, survivors described how Moroccan police and soldiers had encouraged them to make their way on to the Spanish territory........

© Middle East Monitor