Spain accuses Russia, Israel of stoking Ceuta migrant crisis

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accused Russia and Israel of fueling disinformation regarding Spain's migration policy, which led to a surge of migrants into Ceuta, according to Reuters on Aug. 31. He maintained that there was no proof Moroccan authorities were responsible for the influx. Opposition parties and some human rights groups had previously blamed Morocco for purposely enabling the mass border crossing, but Morocco vehemently denied the claims.

Sánchez firmly stated that whenever allegations about Moroccan involvement were made, he firmly denied them. Spanish officials reported that false statements were being spread on Instagram, TikTok, and other social media platforms, claiming that migrants who reached Ceuta by sea would be permitted to stay in Spain. These reports reportedly encouraged thousands of people to attempt crossing into Ceuta.

Sánchez revealed that a study conducted by the European Union's diplomatic service, the European External Action Service (EEAS), suggested that Russian and Israeli networks had assisted in disseminating the disinformation in collaboration with far-right groups. He clarified that both countries likely employed the crisis to criticize Madrid due to their dissatisfaction with Spain's stance on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

However, he provided no additional details regarding the evidence supporting their alleged involvement. Spanish authorities announced that they would allocate an additional $195 million in emergency funding to assist in recovering Ceuta's economy. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar retorted on Twitter, accusing Sánchez of "lying shamelessly" by accusing Israel of spreading false information about the situation in Ceuta.