Approximately a year ago, I met with a left-leaning journalist friend of mine who is gaining increasing media prominence. Our conversations often challenge his media-centric worldview, which, while not dogmatic, tends to overemphasize the narratives presented by mainstream outlets. More critically, he remains oblivious to significant stories that fail to make headlines. This, I believe, highlights a major issue within the polarization of Spanish society: the real divide is not merely differing opinions on the same topic, but rather a stark contrast in awareness. For one half of the population, certain events are dramatic and unprecedented, while for the other half, these issues are non-existent or simply unheard of.
There are, however, matters that escape the attention of both the left and right, as well as the general populace and even the informed minority. A year ago, I broached the topic of the Pegasus scandal with my journalist friend, discussing the blackmail incidents at the Melilla border in May 2021, the resignation of Arancha González Laya demanded by Morocco, the shift in Spain's stance on Western Sahara, and the months-long surveillance of the Prime Minister's mobile phone. He was visibly shocked; while he had heard something about it, he dismissed it as mere conspiracy theories.
Most of this information had been reported by outlets like this one and others such as El Confidencial, which dared to tackle the subject. For many, however, the story remains a non-issue for various simplistic reasons. This week, new revelations emerged regarding the Pegasus affair, coming at a particularly inopportune time, as much of Spain is either on vacation or preoccupied with the World Cup. The media is currently engaged in debates about whether Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will attend the final match. Meanwhile, an investigation has reaffirmed that, in 2021, Morocco used Israeli Pegasus software to intercept the phones of key ministers, extracting nearly three gigabytes of data from the Prime Minister's mobile device. The findings detail the extent and impunity of Moroccan espionage, which has effectively constrained our government for years, shamefully influencing our migration and security policies.
As articulated, "The blackmail from our neighbor significantly influences our discussions on migration, security, and Western Sahara, yet we prefer to remain uninformed." This espionage fundamentally altered our foreign policy towards Morocco, suggesting a causal relationship that cannot be ignored. Despite several journalists advocating for this topic over the years, it has yet to penetrate the public discourse. Even the staunchest critics of Sánchez shy away from mentioning it, finding it far more entertaining to create memes about the Falcon aircraft.
The ignorance or indifference towards this issue results in a skewed understanding of our debates surrounding migration, security, and Western Sahara. Our neighbor's coercive tactics profoundly impact these discussions, yet we choose to remain oblivious. Even the pro-Western Sahara left, a cause increasingly forgotten, hesitates to acknowledge that Morocco weaponizes migration—associating it with conspiracy theories like "invasion" or the "Great Replacement." The mainstream left avoids the subject entirely, as it represents a significant humiliation to admit that our foreign policy is dictated by a poorer, weaker neighbor that has spied on us and continues to blackmail us. The political right also appears indifferent; discussing the topic does not mobilize their base. What incites action remains unclear to them as well. I fear this reflects a deep-seated cultural resignation and apathy toward foreign affairs that profoundly affect us, which ultimately comes at a high cost.
As reported by theobjective.com.
