Spanish PM Sanchez Accuses Israel of Disinformation in Migrant Crisis

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has accused Israel of spreading disinformation related to the mass influx of migrants and asylum seekers into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta last month. In a radio interview, Sanchez claimed that "Israeli networks" disseminated false information about a Spanish Supreme Court ruling concerning the inability to deport illegal immigrants. He suggested this misinformation led to tens of thousands of young Moroccans and others from Africa attempting to cross into Ceuta. Sanchez provided no evidence for these claims.

The crisis in Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa, occurred in late July when tens of thousands of young people swam from Morocco, seeking asylum in Spain. The situation led to local residents being confined to their homes and street clashes, creating a political crisis for Sanchez's government, which had reportedly ignored the escalating danger beforehand. Thousands of illegal immigrants remain in Ceuta, continuing to pose a challenge to Sanchez's minority government.

Sanchez also implicated Russia and the "global right" in the disinformation campaign. He stated that social media distorted a Supreme Court ruling regarding sea arrivals, creating the impression that those who swam to Ceuta would not be deported. He described this as a "scam" exploited and spread on social networks, linking it to Russian and Israeli networks attacking the Spanish and European governments on the sensitive issue of illegal immigration.

These accusations echo antisemitic conspiracy theories that circulated among the radical left following the incident, suggesting Israel encouraged the migrants as retaliation for Spanish criticism of the occupation and attempts to impose sanctions on Israel within the European Union. Sanchez's embrace of these claims, without evidence, represents a further attack on Israel by the Spanish leader. He, however, absolved Morocco of blame, stating the cooperation with Moroccan authorities after the initial incidents has been effective.

Israeli Foreign Minister G Gideon Saar strongly condemned Sanchez's remarks, calling them a "blatant lie" and accusing Sanchez of deflecting from his government's failures. Saar stated on X that "the continued spread of lies and slander will not distract from Sanchez's shameful failure in managing his country's affairs."