Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Monday that there are indications that Russia and Israel spread misinformation about Spain’s immigration policy, which last month led to an influx of migrantsto Ceuta last month, but he added that there is no evidence of Morocco’s involvement.
More than 72,000 migrants crossed illegally from Morocco into the small Spanish enclave on July 30 and 31, causing concern throughout the European Union.
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At least 100 people lost their lives during this attempt, according to local authorities in Ceuta.
Spanish opposition parties and some human rights organizations accused Rabat of deliberately allowing the mass crossings, a charge that Morocco denies.
“I categorically deny statements and speculation regarding the involvement of Moroccan authorities,” Sánchez said in an interview with Cadena Ser radio.
Videos on Instagram, TikTok, and other social media platforms spread misleading claims that migrants arriving in Ceuta by sea would be allowed to stay in Spain, thereby encouraging thousands of people to attempt the crossing, Spanish authorities have stated.
Sánchez stated that an investigation by the EU’s diplomatic service, the EEAS, showed that Russian and Israeli networks were behind the spread of this disinformation, in collaboration with far-right networks.
He added that it is clear that the two countries used the crisis to criticize Madrid because they are dissatisfied with its stance on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, but he did not provide further details regarding the evidence he has concerning their involvement.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry, the Russian Embassy in Spain, and the EEAS did not immediately respond to requests from Reuters for comment.
Sánchez also announced today that the Spanish government will allocate an additional 168 million euros to boost Ceuta’s economy, an amount equivalent to 8% of the enclave’s GDP, in addition to the 180 million euros he promised last week for medium-term recovery efforts
Source: CNA
