Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has accused networks linked to Russia and Israel of spreading misleading claims that helped trigger an unprecedented influx of migrants into Ceuta, while rejecting allegations that Morocco orchestrated the crisis.
More than 72,000 migrants crossed irregularly from Morocco into the Spanish enclave on July 30 and 31, overwhelming authorities at one of the European Union’s two land borders with Africa. At least 100 people died while attempting the crossing, according to Ceuta’s local government.
Opposition parties in Spain and several human rights organisations have alleged that Moroccan authorities deliberately relaxed border controls, allowing tens of thousands of people to enter the territory. Rabat has denied the accusation.
“When people talk and speculate about the participation of Moroccan authorities, I deny this outright,” Sanchez told Spain’s SER radio on Monday.
Spanish officials said videos circulating on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms falsely suggested that migrants who reached Ceuta by sea would automatically be permitted to remain in Spain. The posts reportedly encouraged thousands of people to attempt the dangerous journey.
Sanchez said research conducted by the European External Action Service, the EU’s diplomatic arm, pointed to Russian and Israeli networks working alongside far-right groups to amplify the misleading information.
He alleged that both countries had exploited the crisis to attack Madrid over Spain’s positions on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. However, the prime minister did not publicly provide detailed evidence supporting the accusation.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar strongly rejected the claim, accusing Sanchez in a post on X of “lying shamelessly.” Sa’ar said the allegation was intended to divert attention from what he described as the Spanish government’s domestic policy failures.
Russia’s embassy in Madrid and the European External Action Service did not immediately comment on the accusation.
Tensions rise inside Ceuta
Around 5,000 migrants, including people seeking asylum, remained in Ceuta following the mass crossing.
Their presence has fuelled near-daily demonstrations by residents angered by the Spanish government’s handling of the crisis. Police have also reported sporadic attacks targeting a makeshift migrant camp at El Trampolin beach.
Three Moroccan nationals were arrested on Sunday after bottles containing corrosive liquids were allegedly thrown at a Spanish army patrol, the EFE news agency reported, citing police sources. No injuries were recorded.
Sanchez announced that his government would allocate an additional €168 million, equivalent to roughly $195 million, in emergency assistance to revive Ceuta’s economy.
The new funding represents approximately 8% of the enclave’s gross domestic product and comes in addition to €180 million pledged the previous week for medium-term recovery measures.