Spanish PM Sanchez Blames Israel, Russia for Ceuta Migrant Disinformation

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Monday accused Israel and Russia of spreading disinformation about Spain's approach to migration, fueling this summer's migrant crisis at the border of Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

Sánchez stated that "After July 30 and 31, rumors and disinformation spread on social networks linked to Russia and Israel, and to an ultra-right international that always uses migration not only to attack Spain, but also to attack Europe and divide it." He attributed this alleged smear campaign, in part, to Madrid's opposition to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Sánchez also ruled out any responsibility on the part of Moroccan authorities for the sudden influx of migrants. He stated, "No intelligence service with which the Spanish government normally cooperates sheds any doubt, or rather, suggests any doubt, about the involvement in one way or another of the Moroccan authorities." He added that "Cooperation with Morocco is frankly positive" and that the crisis can only be resolved through cooperation.

Over 72,000 migrants irregularly crossed from Morocco into Ceuta last month. The mass entry of migrants triggered a Europe-wide migrant alert. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar accused Sánchez of lying shamelessly over Israel's alleged role, rejecting the claim that Israeli-linked social media accounts helped spread disinformation. Russia has also denied its involvement. As many as 141 people are thought to have died trying to cross from Morocco into Ceuta at the end of July and the start of August.

The Italian government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni responded by introducing targeted air and sea border checks for non-EU nationals arriving from Spain, leading Spain to retaliate with matching temporary border controls on flights and boats from Italy. Morocco proposed talks with Spain on the future status of Ceuta and Melilla, which Spain rejected.