Israel Rejects Spanish PM's Claims of Disinformation Campaign

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi vehemently denied accusations by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez that Israel, along with Russia, was involved in spreading false information related to the mass influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta last month. Sánchez had claimed that both countries exploited the migration crisis to criticize Spain's government, citing disagreements over Spain's stance on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Ashkenazi stated that Sánchez was "shamelessly lying again" and called the accusations "a blatant lie." He further criticized Sánchez, saying, "The continued dissemination of defamatory lies will not distract from Sánchez's shameful failure in managing his country's affairs."

Sánchez had based his claims on research from the European Union's External Action Service (EEAS). He alleged that a wave of rumors and disinformation spread on social media following the events of July 30-31 originated from accounts linked to Russia and Israel. According to Sánchez, these countries amplified disinformation concerning the mass entry of migrants into Ceuta, aiming to attack Spain due to its positions on the ongoing wars. He also suggested that the global far-right uses the migration issue to attack and divide Europe.