Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez addressed the migrant invasion of Ceuta by pointing the finger at Israel and Russia. In an interview given today in Spain, Sánchez claimed that networks associated with both countries spread and amplified false information surrounding the entry of migrants into the Spanish enclave in North Africa.
According to reports in Spain, Sánchez claimed the wave of ‘disinformation’ came from a distortion of a Supreme Court ruling in the country regarding crossing the border by swimming. According to him, those who spread the false information sought to exploit the migration crisis to attack the Spanish government and Europe. “It’s clear,” Sánchez said, linking the matter to Madrid’s disputes with Russia over Ukraine and with Israel over the war in the Middle East.
The Spanish prime minister rushed to clear Morocco of direct responsibility for the crisis. According to him, security forces, Spanish intelligence services, and other intelligence services have no information pointing to involvement by authorities in Rabat in the events. Sánchez even said Morocco provided “immediate cooperation” with Spain during the crisis.
The crisis in Ceuta erupted at the end of July, when masses of migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave. According to Reuters, Spain requested assistance from the European border agency Frontex last weekend, nearly a month after tens of thousands of people stormed the border from the Moroccan side. According to El País, the Spanish Interior Ministry noted that on July 30 and 31, approximately 80,000 people entered Ceuta illegally.
Sánchez’s remarks come amid sharp criticism within Spain and Europe over his government’s handling. The Financial Times reported that residents in Ceuta and opposition representatives accused the Spanish prime minister of helplessness, while thousands of migrants still remain in the enclave a month after the crisis began. Criticism of Sánchez’s immigration policy was also registered in the European Union, after leaders from various countries demanded a tougher response to the crisis.
Despite the fact that the crisis occurred at the border with Morocco, Sánchez chose to place Israel, Russia, and elements in the European right at the center. In doing so, as public pressure on him mounts, the Spanish prime minister is shifting the discussion from the question of how the border crisis was managed to claims about an external disinformation campaign.