“The «invasion» of Ceuta”, headlines the The Reason, with a new use of cowardly quotes. “Ceuta, invaded”, seconds theAbc. And The World completes the trio of newspapers that narrate the migratory crisis with sharp and dire words that belong to the lexicon of war: “Morocco displays its power with the largest border assault”. These are editorial choices that highlight to what extent the far-right has imposed and normalized its mental framework. Using the same verb as when Russian troops entered Ukrainian territory reduces the issue to the old emotional resource of us-against-them. It is obvious that the Moroccan government uses migrant flows to strain relations with Spain, especially after Sánchez's approach to arch-enemy Algeria. And that the consequences of immigration deserve a deep, calm, and brave debate. But what public discussion can be had if it is all reduced to a dehumanizing caricature in which they are treated as mere pawns turned into invading soldiers of King Mohammed? The rest of the newspapers avoid speaking in terms of "assault or invasion, with the warlike connotation that is brought to the forefront: “collapse,” “massive entry,” or “avalanche” are some of the formulas chosen. The latter also causes me a bit of unease, because equating it to a natural disaster can also be dehumanizing and stigmatizing. But, despite everything, the treatments in the rest of the headlines are balanced and respect personal dignity.
Another unequivocal proof of this denigratory will ofThe World, The Reason and Abc we find it in a factor that unites the three right-wing newspapers: the absence on the front pages of any mention of the people who have lost their lives trying to reach Spanish territory. They are deaths that do not matter. Of course, it is not worth crying for the enemy's soldiers. By their fruits you will know them, then. And by their treatment of migrants, too.
