Spanish Prime Minister Criticizes King Over Migration Crisis, Implicates Israel

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has publicly criticized King Felipe VI for his perceived absence from addressing the severe migration crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Sánchez expressed his disappointment that the King had not visited the city, contrasting it with his own multiple visits and suggesting the King had not visited Ceuta or Melilla even once during his reign, though this statement was factually inaccurate regarding the King's tenure.

During a radio interview, Sánchez also alluded to the alleged involvement of Russia and Israel in exacerbating the crisis, which saw approximately 72,000 migrants arrive in Ceuta from Morocco about a month prior. He stated that around 5,000 migrants remain in the city, a higher figure than previously acknowledged by Spanish officials and the European Union. The Prime Minister indicated that a royal visit to Ceuta is expected but did not specify a date, stating it depends on conditions being favorable.

The Prime Minister also addressed internal government disputes regarding intelligence warnings about the potential migrant influx. While the Defense Minister claimed the National Intelligence Center had alerted authorities, the Interior Minister insisted there was no prior knowledge. Sánchez attempted to bridge these accounts, stating that while increased illegal entries were detected, the warnings did not predict the crisis's scale.

Sánchez defended his own actions, including taking a vacation shortly after the crisis began, stating politicians also need rest. He also commented on the possibility of early general elections, suggesting he would complete his current term but acknowledging that "change is always good," while warning against the rise of the far-right Vox party.

In response to Sánchez's remarks, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi stated that "the continued dissemination of defamatory lies will not distract from Sánchez's shameful failure in managing his country's affairs." Sánchez, however, questioned Morocco's motive for the migration surge, attributing it instead to human trafficking mafias and online campaigns linked to Russia, Israel, and an international far-right group aiming to destabilize Europe.