Spain Accuses Russia, Israel of Spreading Falsehoods on Migrant Surge

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has accused Russia and Israel, along with far-right groups, of disseminating false information on social media to exacerbate the mass migration crisis in Ceuta last month. During this event, over 70,000 migrants crossed the border into the Spanish enclave within two days. Sánchez stated that Russian and Israeli networks spread falsehoods, citing research from the EU's External Action Service, which portrayed Spain as having lost control of its borders. These falsehoods included misrepresentations of a Supreme Court ruling that prevented the immediate return of individuals who entered by swimming. Sánchez suggested these actions were intended to target Spain due to its stances on the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Conversely, Sánchez clarified that there is no evidence of Moroccan involvement in the migrant influx, praising Rabat's swift cooperation in curbing the crisis. This position has drawn sharp criticism from within Sánchez's own left-wing coalition. Member of Parliament Alberto Ibáñez of the Sumar coalition deemed the accusations against Russia and Israel "unreliable" while simultaneously backing Morocco. Party spokesperson Verónica Barbero attacked the lack of criticism towards Rabat and the perceived lack of empathy for Ceuta's residents.

Official figures presented by Sánchez indicate that over 90% of the migrants have already been returned to Morocco, while approximately 5,000 remain in the city, including about 1,200 unaccompanied minors. Concurrently, the European Commission and intelligence agencies have also identified Russian actors and smuggling networks disseminating similar content aimed at destabilizing Europe.