Spanish PM Accuses Russia, Israel of Spreading Migrant Crisis Disinformation

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has accused Russia and Israel, along with the "far-right international," of spreading disinformation on social media regarding the migrant crisis in Ceuta. In a radio interview on August 31, Sánchez claimed that false narratives, particularly concerning Spain's Supreme Court rulings on accepting undocumented migrants, were disseminated to incite the influx. He stated that over 70,000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave in North Africa from Morocco over two days in late July, though he noted that over 90% have since returned, with an additional 3,222 returning after August 10. Approximately 5,000 migrants, including 1,200 unaccompanied minors, remain in Spain illegally.

Sánchez suggested that the disinformation campaign, originating from networks linked to Russia and Israel, distorted a Supreme Court decision to imply that migrants arriving by sea could not be deported. He questioned whether Russia or Israel's involvement stemmed from genuine concern for Spain's migration issues or from a desire to impact Spain's international standing in Europe. The Prime Minister also commended Morocco for its cooperation in managing the situation, stating that Spanish intelligence found no evidence of Moroccan government complicity in the migrant surge.

However, Sánchez's claims faced criticism within Spain's ruling coalition. Alberto Ibáñez, a lawmaker from the Sumar party, deemed it "irresponsible" to blame groups like "Trump's reactionary right, Israel, or Russia," especially while praising Morocco. Verónica Barbero, another Sumar representative, criticized Sánchez for his lack of criticism towards Morocco and for a perceived lack of empathy for both Ceuta's residents and the migrants.

Relations between Spain and Israel have significantly deteriorated since May 2024, following Spain's recognition of a Palestinian state, its blocking of arms transit to Israel, and its characterization of the Gaza war as "genocide." Spain recalled its ambassador to Israel in March 2026, and the Israeli Foreign Minister previously accused Sánchez's government of antisemitism. Israel's UN envoy, meanwhile, suggested Spain's own immigration policies caused the Ceuta crisis and criticized Madrid's control over its North African enclaves. Spain denies declaring a state of emergency in Ceuta.

European Union officials have acknowledged foreign interference attempts related to the Ceuta crisis, primarily from Russia-linked entities seeking to amplify social media posts about the situation. Research indicates that between July 27 and August 10, approximately 40% of posts on the X platform concerning the crisis were in English, with some portraying Spain as having lost border control and facing a "civilizational threat."