Germany’s authorities and Elon Musk spar on X over migrant rescue ships

BERLIN — Germany’s authorities rebuked X proprietor Elon Musk after he criticized the latest work of migrant rescue ships that German humanitarian teams function within the Mediterranean Sea.

Musk late Friday shared a video that confirmed migrants and assist staff on a ship. The right-wing account that first put the content material on X, previously often called Twitter, praised the populist far-right Alternative for Germany social gathering, which has taken a tough line on migration points.

“Is the German public aware of this?” Musk wrote in his repost.

The German Federal Foreign Office replied to Musk straight on X, writing: “Yes. And it’s called saving lives.”

Musk responded that he doubted the German public helps the actions of non-governmental organizations that take asylum-seekers from unseaworthy vessels within the Mediterranean. He additionally asserted it was “surely” a violation of Italy’s sovereignty for German-operated ships to carry rescued migrants to Italian territory.

“So you’re actually proud of it. Interesting,” he wrote to the Foreign Office, including that he thinks such maritime operations have “invasion vibes.”

The trade comes as migration has returned to the political forefront in Germany and different European nations, with authorities officers and opposition politicians sparring about how greatest to deal with an growing variety of arriving migrants.

Cities and communities throughout Germany have sounded an alarm, saying they’re working out of room to accommodate them and to supply kindergarten and faculty locations.