Extremist content creators spread conspiracy theories blaming Israel for Spain's migration crisis
The theories were sparked by scrutiny of a social media post made by Yair Netanyahu in 2019 and gained traction even after Spanish authorities ruled out any Moroccan interference.
Several anti-Israel social media accounts circulated conspiracy theories over the weekend, claiming Israel was responsible for border disruptions in Ceuta and Melilla, Spanish cities in North Africa. Far-right commentator Candace Owens shared an outdated post from Yair Netanyahu, arguing Israel wouldn't fund NGOs urging Spain to cede Ceuta and Melilla.
Left-leaning creator Ana Alcalde, also known as "Gaza Barbie," began spreading similar claims shortly after migrants started crossing the border, linking Netanyahu, Israel, and US President Donald Trump to the crisis. Far-right influencer Alex Jones claimed Israel launched an "Islamic invasion of Spain," suggesting the US was "backing Netanyahu's plan to launch an Islamic invasion of Spain from Morocco."
The New York Times reported that some migrants were influenced by Moroccan police to cross the border, having seen social media posts encouraging them to gather. Moroccan migrants who arrived at the scene reportedly received instructions from police to cross the border, with one migrant telling The Times he was told, "Come to Spain."
Despite this, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the situation an "attack on Spain's territorial integrity," while Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska blamed people-smuggling networks for exploiting vulnerable migrants and spreading false interpretations of a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling. Spanish authorities stated most migrants had turned back to Morocco by Saturday, with crossings into Ceuta stopping overnight.
Police installed a 500-meter floating barrier off the border with Morocco following the mass rush that killed at least 67 people.
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