RismadarVoice Reporters, August 31, 2026
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has accused Russia and Israel of spreading disinformation about Spain’s migration policy, which he said contributed to last month’s unprecedented rush of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
Sanchez made the allegation on Monday, saying there were indications that Russian and Israeli networks, working alongside far-right groups, were involved in spreading misleading information that encouraged migrants to cross from Morocco into Ceuta.
More than 72,000 migrants reportedly crossed from Morocco into the Spanish territory between July 30 and 31, in an unprecedented surge that caused concern across the European Union. Ceuta’s local authorities said at least 100 people died while attempting the crossing.
Videos and posts circulated on Instagram, TikTok and other social media platforms falsely suggested that migrants who reached Ceuta by sea would be allowed to remain in Spain, according to Spanish authorities.
Sanchez said research by the European Union’s diplomatic service had identified Russian and Israeli networks as being behind some of the disinformation campaign, alongside far-right networks.
He also rejected allegations that Moroccan authorities deliberately facilitated the mass crossings.
“When people talk and speculate about the participation of Moroccan authorities, I deny this outright,” Sanchez said in an interview with Spanish radio station SER.
The Spanish prime minister said Russia and Israel had used the crisis to criticise his government because of Madrid’s positions on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
However, Sanchez did not provide further details about the evidence linking the two countries to the alleged disinformation campaign.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry, Russian Embassy in Spain and the European External Action Service had not immediately responded to requests for comment.
The migrant influx has left about 5,000 people, including some asylum seekers, in Ceuta. The situation has triggered frequent protests by residents over the Spanish government’s handling of the crisis.
Police have also reported sporadic attacks on a makeshift migrant camp at El Trampolin beach.
On Sunday, police arrested three Moroccan citizens accused of throwing bottles containing corrosive substances at an army patrol in Ceuta, according to Spanish news agency EFE. No injuries were reported.
Meanwhile, Sanchez announced that the Spanish government would provide an additional €168 million, approximately $195 million, in emergency funding to support Ceuta’s economy following the migrant crisis.
The new allocation is equivalent to 8 per cent of the enclave’s gross domestic product and comes on top of €180 million previously pledged for medium-term recovery efforts.
