Spain Accuses Israel, Russia of Spreading Migration Crisis Disinformation

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has accused Israel, alongside Russia and the international far-right, of spreading disinformation regarding the migrant crisis that overwhelmed the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa in late July. Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena SER, Sánchez cited research from the European External Action Service, the EU's diplomatic arm, suggesting that social media networks linked to Russia and Israel disseminated false rumors after July 30-31. He stated these groups exploited the migration issue to criticize Spain and Europe, aiming to divide the continent. Sánchez implied the accusations were linked to political disagreements between Spain and both Russia and Israel concerning their stances on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, though he offered no additional evidence. The Prime Minister also clarified that Spanish intelligence services found no indication of Moroccan government involvement in the crisis. To address the aftermath, Spain will provide an additional €168 million (approximately $195 million) in aid to Ceuta.

The crisis saw nearly 70,000 migrants cross from Morocco into Ceuta, a small territory of about 18 square kilometers, on July 30-31. While most returned to Morocco within hours, thousands remained, leading to public protests over security and capacity issues. Spanish authorities had previously suggested that false information spread on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, falsely assuring migrants that swimming to Ceuta would prevent deportation, contributed to the surge.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi vehemently rejected Sánchez's claims, calling them "brazen lies" and "defamatory slander." In a sharp post on X, formerly Twitter, Ashkenazi stated, "Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is brazenly lying. In his interview today with Cadena SER, he lied again, astonishingly accusing Israel of spreading disinformation regarding the events in Ceuta. This is a blatant lie. The continued spread of lies and slander will not distract from Sánchez's utter failure to manage his country's affairs."