Spain’s Sanchez says Russia, Israel spread disinformation on Ceuta crisis

What the report says

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has accused Russia and Israel of spreading and amplifying false claims online during the recent migrant influx to Ceuta, the Spanish enclave on North Africa’s coast. Speaking to Cadena Ser radio, Sanchez said he was relying on research from the European External Action Service, the European Union’s diplomatic service, which had identified disinformation activity linked to both countries around July 30 and 31, according to Al Jazeera’s report.

The comments come after a major surge in arrivals from Morocco to Ceuta in late July that triggered a wider migration alert in Europe. Al Jazeera reported that while most people crossed back to Morocco quickly, thousands remained in the territory, with many living in difficult conditions. Sanchez also said Spanish authorities had no intelligence evidence suggesting Moroccan officials were involved in the sudden influx.

Sanchez linked the online falsehoods to broader political tensions with Moscow and Tel Aviv over the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. He said the crisis should be addressed through cooperation with Morocco and through wider European solidarity, not distrust. The Spanish government has also announced additional funding for Ceuta to help manage the situation.

The report adds that local residents have staged repeated protests over security and sanitation concerns, while estimates of how many migrants remain in Ceuta vary between national and local officials.