Spanish Prime Minister says Russia and Israel spread disinformation ahead of Ceuta migrant surge

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told radio station SER on Monday that there were indications Russian and Israeli networks had disseminated disinformation about Spain's migration policy, which he said helped trigger a large influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. He added that no evidence linked the Moroccan authorities to the event.

Between July 30 and 31, more than 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, one of the European Union’s two land borders with Africa, resulting in at least 100 deaths, according to local officials. Videos on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok circulated claims that migrants arriving by sea could stay in Spain, authorities said, prompting many to attempt the crossing.

Sánchez cited research by the EU’s External Action Service that identified Russian and Israeli networks working with far-right groups as the source of the misleading content. He suggested the two countries used the incident to criticize Madrid over its positions on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, but did not provide further details. The Israeli foreign ministry, the Russian embassy in Spain and the EEAS did not respond to requests for comment.

Around 5,000 migrants remain in Ceuta, leading to frequent local protests and occasional attacks on a temporary camp at El Trampolín beach. Police arrested three Moroccan citizens for throwing bottles containing corrosive liquids at an army patrol, though no injuries were reported.

Sánchez also announced an additional €168 million in emergency funding for Ceuta’s economy, bringing total pledged aid to €348 million for both immediate and medium-term recovery efforts.