Spanish prime minister points finger at Israel, Russia disinformation over Ceuta migrant crisis

Spanish PM Points Finger at Israel, Russia Over Ceuta

Provpnadvice.com – The Spanish prime minister points finger at two foreign capitals after a late-July migration surge turned the North African enclave of Ceuta into a humanitarian emergency. More than 72,000 people crossed the fence separating Morocco from Spanish territory in a matter of hours, and at least 100 died in the chaos that followed. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, speaking on Cadena Ser radio on Monday, accused Israel and Russia of orchestrating a coordinated disinformation push on social media that he says amplified panic and sought to delegitimize Madrid’s foreign-policy positions.

Alleged Information Campaign Traced to Moscow and Tel Aviv

Sánchez laid out a specific timeline: fabricated narratives and rumors began flooding social platforms immediately after July 30 and 31, the days when the border crossing overwhelmed local infrastructure. He attributed those digital operations to actors connected to both Moscow and Tel Aviv, as well as to what he called “an ultra-right international” that habitually weaponizes migration to fracture European solidarity.

“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 to attack both Spain and Europe and divide it.”

The Spanish prime minister points finger at findings from the European External Action Service, the EU’s diplomatic arm, which he said documented collaboration between Israeli and Russian media outlets and far-right networks across the continent. In his framing, the unprecedented scale of the crossing was not merely a humanitarian emergency but also a political opening seized by foreign actors to undermine Madrid’s vocal opposition to what he termed the genocide in Gaza and its firm stance against Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

“It is evident that both countries used the large, unprecedented influx of migrants to criticize his government in response to Madrid’s stances regarding the genocide in Gaza or Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.”

Human Cost, Return Flows, and Legal Complications

Ceuta shares one of the very few land borders between the European Union and Africa, a geographic reality that has made it a perennial pressure point in migration flows. The late-July event saw tens of thousands of people — many of them families with children — attempt to breach the fence in a matter of hours. The sheer volume of arrivals, exceeding 72,000, overwhelmed hospitals, shelters, and municipal services almost instantly. At least 100 people lost their lives in the aftermath, though the true toll may be higher given the conditions under which many crossed.

In the weeks following the surge, Spanish officials reported that approximately 48,000 migrants had voluntarily returned to Morocco. The legal landscape governing those intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla — Spain’s other North African territory — was clarified by a ruling from Spain’s Supreme Court, which held that such individuals cannot be forcibly repatriated to Morocco. That decision has complicated the government’s ability to manage the remaining population in the enclave.

Amid the political controversy, Sánchez announced a package of 168 million euros — roughly $195 million — earmarked for Ceuta to help the territory recover from the infrastructure strain and provide ongoing services to residents and displaced migrants. He stressed that the crisis “can only be resolved through cooperation and not through distrust towards Morocco,” signaling his intention to maintain a bilateral framework with Rabat rather than treat the event as a rupture in relations.

Israel and Russia Deny Involvement

The accusations did not go unanswered. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar responded swiftly on social media, dismissing Sánchez’s claims as outright fabrication.

“This is a brazen lie. Continuing to spread defamatory lies will not distract from Sánchez’s disgraceful failure to manage his country’s affairs.”

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov offered a flat denial when asked whether Russia had any involvement in the Ceuta episode.

“No. Nothing to do with it.”

Both denials leave the Spanish prime minister points finger claim without independent corroboration in the public record, though the European External Action Service research he cited remains the primary documentary basis for his accusation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people crossed into Ceuta during the late-July surge? More than 72,000 people entered the territory in a single event spanning July 30–31, overwhelming local infrastructure within hours.

How many deaths were confirmed? Local authorities confirmed at least 100 deaths in the aftermath of the crossing, though officials acknowledged the true figure could be higher.

What did Sánchez accuse Israel and Russia of doing? He alleged that both countries, along with far-right networks, ran a coordinated social-media disinformation campaign immediately after the crossing to amplify fear and delegitimize Spain’s positions on Gaza and Ukraine.

How much financial aid did Madrid pledge to Ceuta? Sánchez announced a 168-million-euro package (approximately $195 million) to help the territory recover infrastructure and fund ongoing services.

What did the Spanish Supreme Court rule regarding migrants intercepted at sea? The court held that individuals stopped at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla cannot be forcibly repatriated to Morocco, complicating the government’s management of the remaining population.