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

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said there were signs ⁠Russia and Israel had spread the disinformation that triggered the rush of migrants into Ceuta.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday there were signs ⁠Russia and Israel had spread the disinformation over Spain’s migration policy that triggered last month’s rush of migrants into Ceuta, but no evidence of Moroccan involvement.

Over 72,000 migrants irregularly crossed from Morocco into the tiny Spanish territory between July 30 and 31 in an unprecedented surge at one of the European Union’s ⁠only two land borders with Africa, prompting alarm across ​the ⁠bloc. At least 100 people died in the attempt, according to Ceuta’s local authorities.

Spanish opposition parties and some human rights groups have accused Rabat of deliberately allowing ⁠the mass crossing, an accusation Morocco has denied.

“When people talk and speculate about the participation ​of Moroccan ⁠authorities, I deny this outright,” Sanchez ‌told radio station SER.

Videos on Instagram, TikTok and other social media spread misleading claims that migrants reaching Ceuta by sea could remain in Spain, encouraging thousands to attempt the crossing, Spanish ‌authorities have said.