Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez accused Israel and Russia of spreading and amplifying disinformation about the mass influx of migrants into Ceuta last month. He linked his statements to a report by the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Union’s diplomatic service.
«After July 30 and 31, rumors and disinformation linked to Russia and Israel, as well as international far‑right forces that always use the issue of migration to attack Spain and Europe and divide them, were spreading on social media», Sanchez said in an interview with Spanish radio Cadena Ser on Monday.
Accusations and the migration crisis
Sanchez described it as «obvious» that the two countries had exploited the crisis to criticize the Spanish government, given Madrid’s disagreements with them over the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East.
At the end of July, over several days, at least 70,000 people crossed the border from Morocco into Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa. The surge sparked Europe‑wide concern about the migration situation.
Although the vast majority of migrants returned to Morocco within hours, thousands remained in Ceuta, many living outdoors. Spanish police relocated hundreds from Ceuta’s beach to shelters. Spain also requested emergency funding from the EU and sought assistance to accommodate 5,000 migrants amid local tensions, during which anti‑migrant protesters burned tents and blocked Red Cross aid.
Sanchez denies Morocco’s involvement
The prime minister rejected any role for Moroccan authorities in the sudden influx. According to Sanchez, none of the intelligence services that Spain normally works with indicated «any involvement of the Moroccan authorities» in what happened.
«We must realize that this crisis can only be resolved through cooperation, not through distrust of Morocco», Sanchez said, adding that an additional 168 million euros (195 million dollars) would be earmarked for aid to Ceuta to address the aftermath.
He also noted that, during the surge, online groups—including those linked to human trafficking—spread the false claim that anyone who reached Ceuta by swimming could not be deported back to Morocco.
«We continue to investigate what happened», Sanchez said, calling for European solidarity in tackling the continent’s migration crisis.
Ceuta, which covers just 18 sq. km (7 sq. miles), has a population of around 80,000. Residents regularly hold demonstrations over security and sanitary issues they say are linked to the influx of migrants.
Spain’s left‑wing government says between 3,500 and 7,000 migrants, including unaccompanied minors, remain in Ceuta. Meanwhile, right‑wing politicians in Ceuta claim the number is at least 10,000.
According to Al Jazeera
