Full story
Sanchez Blames Networks
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accused Russia and Israel of spreading and amplifying disinformation tied to the mass influx of migrants to Ceuta last month, citing research by the European External Action Service (EEAS).
““After July 30 and 31, rumours and disinformation spread on social networks linked to Russia and Israel”
Sánchez told Spain’s Cadena Ser radio, “After July 30 and 31, rumours and disinformation spread on social networks linked to Russia and Israel,” and he said the claims were linked to an “ultra-right international” that “always uses migration to attack both Spain and Europe and divide it.”
He said it was “evident” the two countries used the crisis to criticize the Spanish government amid disputes with Madrid over its positions on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Sánchez also ruled out any responsibility by Moroccan authorities, saying, “No intelligence service with which the Spanish government normally cooperates” had suggested “any … involvement in one way or another of the Moroccan authorities.”
Ceuta Numbers and Aid
Sánchez said at least 70,000 people crossed into Spain’s North African enclave from Morocco over several days in late July, triggering a Europe-wide migrant alert, while he said thousands remained in Ceuta living rough on the streets.
He said Spain’s left-wing government has said between 3,500 and 7,000 migrants remain in the territory, while Ceuta’s right-wing politicians allege it is at least 10,000.
Ahead of the crisis, a Spanish Supreme Court ruling said irregular migrants arriving by sea cannot be immediately returned, and Sánchez said 6,000 spaces at reception centers would soon be available in the territory for migrants whose status must be verified before any possible return to Morocco.
Sánchez pledged an additional 168 million euros ($195 million) in aid for Ceuta to respond to the crisis, and he said the government was continuing to investigate what happened.
European Tensions and Fallout
The Ceuta crisis has become a political flashpoint in Spain and a wider concern across the European Union over migration, with Spain’s government facing demands from conservative opposition and far-right parties for all those who entered, including minors, to be returned to Morocco.
“if someone entered Ceuta by swimming, it was impossible for them to be deported to Morocco”
Sánchez said the disinformation included a false claim that if someone entered Ceuta by swimming, it was impossible for them to be deported to Morocco, and he said the government was continuing to investigate what happened.
In a separate account of the same remarks, Euronews reported Sánchez confirmed that the CNI shared situation reports before the massive entry but said, “there was no information that shared the magnitude of the crisis we were going to suffer.”
Euronews also said Sánchez linked the hoaxes to Russia, Israel, and the “international far-right,” while he ruled out Morocco’s involvement and said the European External Action Service told him that “there were Russian and Israeli networks that spread and propagated falsehoods.”