Immigration crisis: A new cycle

It was almost inevitable that a Southern Europe state would eventually close its doors to immigrants from Africa.

It is not surprising that Italy is that state; over recent years, it has borne a disproportionate burden in this crisis.

The Aquarius, a ship carrying more than 600 migrants rescued by an NGO working in the sea off Arica, was the first vessel caught in a crackdown by the right-wing partner in Italy’s new populist government, which has vowed to stop the country from becoming the “refugee camp of Europe”.

“Starting today, Italy, too, begins to say no to the trafficking of human beings, no to the business of clandestine immigration,” said Matteo Salvini, the new interior minister, and leader of the anti-migrant League party.

Almost immediately, Spain’s new socialist prime minister Pedro Sánchez offered the Aquarius and its passengers refuge and so begins another cycle in this great, almost unending human tragedy.

Spain’s generosity will eventually be overwhelmed and it too will close its doors.

Resolving this crisis is one of the great challenges of our time.