Ceuta Assembly Suspended After Vox Deputy Accuses Rivals of Being "Pro-Moroccan"

Carlos Verdejo described as "pro-Moroccans" the deputies Fatima Hamed, Mohamed Ali as well as other members of the PP. The president of the city, Juan Vivas, warned the Vox deputy against the "serious damage he is causing to Ceuta" by making such statements that echo Morocco’s thesis that the population of Ceuta is composed of Moroccans (the Muslims) and Spaniards. "This institution is here to serve Ceuta and Spain, do not do more harm to Ceuta and Spain with this type of intervention," Vivas warned.

To read: Far-Right Vox Party Demands Morocco Recognize Spanish Control of Ceuta and Melilla

"There are pro-Moroccans in the PP... Stop manipulating because here, the one who strengthens Moroccan sovereignty is you with your pact with the pro-Moroccans. Fatima Hamed and Mohamed Ali are pro-Moroccans disguised under the cheers of Spain. To claim that we call all Muslims pro-Moroccans is indecent," Verdejo insisted. For his part, President Vivas "denies" the existence of these pro-Moroccans in the absence of evidence. "We all present here have sworn allegiance to the Constitution, the Statute of Autonomy and Spain. Ceuta will defend its Hispanicity with more security, strength and future if we all defend it and not just Vox. You have no right to say that because a party does not share your ideology, it is automatically pro-Moroccan. Be aware, responsible and do not set Ceuta on fire," Vivas supported.

Fatima Hamed also intervened to denounce these "ridiculous" remarks by the Vox deputy. "You call into question people’s nationality because of their religious belief. Do you intend to teach children in schools that if you are not Catholic, apostolic and Roman, you are not Spanish?... I will never be a good Spaniard for you because the Spanish Muslims you love are the ones who clean your shit, those who are exploited, but that time of slavery is over... This man is trying to offend, tease and accuse others," she said.

To read: Vox Party Vows to Defend Ceuta and Melilla Against Moroccan Pressure

"I am the son of Ceuta, I have lived in Ceuta all my life, I know this city and I was raised here. There are honest and honorable members of the PP, members who will never be traitors and pro-Moroccans, but there are also pro-Moroccans in this city and in this Assembly," Verdejo argued, adding that there is a "Moroccan line in this city, parties that, with their proposals, seek to make Ceuta a Moroccan province."

Given the atmosphere that was starting to overheat, President Vivas had to suspend the plenary session.