Spain PM blames Russia, Israel for disinformation in Ceuta migrant crisis

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday accused Russia and Israel of spreading disinformation that contributed to a massive, irregular migration surge into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta last month, while firmly denying any involvement by Moroccan authorities. The crisis saw over 72,000 people cross from Morocco into the tiny territory between July 30 and 31, in an unprecedented event at one of the European Union's only two land borders with Africa. Sanchez stated that research by the EU's diplomatic service indicated Russian and Israeli networks, in conjunction with far-right groups, were behind the spread of misleading claims on social media. These claims suggested that migrants reaching Ceuta by sea could remain in Spain, encouraging thousands to attempt the crossing. The Prime Minister asserted that the two countries used the crisis to criticize Madrid due to dissatisfaction with its positions on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, though he provided no further details on the evidence.