Spain accuses Russia and Israel of disinformation over Ceuta migrant crisis
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday accused Israel and Russia of spreading and amplifying disinformation about the mass arrival of migrants in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta at the end of July, citing a study…
Source: Al Jazeera · August 31, 2026 at 10:31 AM · AI-assisted report
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CEUTA, 31 AUGUST 2026 —
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday accused Israel and Russia of spreading and amplifying disinformation about the mass arrival of migrants in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta at the end of July, citing a study by the European External Action Service (EEAS).
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Sanchez said the false narratives were intended to criticise Madrid’s stance on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and to sow division within Spain and the European Union. He added that the disinformation campaign coincided with a “Europe‑wide migrant alert” triggered by the sudden influx of people from Morocco into Ceuta.
According to the prime minister, at least 70,000 migrants crossed the border from Morocco into Ceuta over several days after 30 July and 31 July. The overwhelming majority were returned to Morocco within hours, but thousands remained in the enclave, many of them sleeping on the streets.
Spain’s left‑wing government estimates that between 3,500 and 7,000 migrants are still in Ceuta, including unaccompanied minors, while right‑wing politicians in the city claim the figure is at least 10,000.
Sanchez rejected any suggestion that Moroccan authorities were responsible for the surge. “No intelligence service with which the Spanish government normally cooperates has suggested any involvement in one way or another of the Moroccan authorities,” he told Cadena Ser radio. He urged “cooperation, not distrust towards Morocco” as the only way to resolve the crisis.
The prime minister also highlighted specific false claims that had circulated online. He said human‑trafficking groups were spreading the rumor that migrants who entered Ceuta by swimming could not be deported back to Morocco – a claim he described as “impossible”. The EEAS report, which Sanchez referenced, identified coordinated activity on social networks linked to Russia, Israel and an “ultra‑right international” that routinely uses migration issues to attack Spain and Europe.
In response to the emergency, Sanchez announced an additional €168 million (approximately $195 million) in aid for Ceuta. The funding is intended to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the migrants who remain and to improve security and hygiene conditions that have prompted regular demonstrations by Ceuta residents.
The enclave, covering 18 sq km (7 sq mi) and home to about 80,000 people, has seen its population swell dramatically in a short period, straining local services.
Sanchez said the Spanish government is continuing its investigation into the disinformation campaign and the circumstances of the influx. He called for “European solidarity” to manage the broader migration challenge facing the continent, emphasizing that coordinated action is essential to prevent similar crises.
The episode arrives as Spain navigates a delicate diplomatic balance. Madrid’s positions on the Ukraine conflict and the Middle East have placed it at odds with both Moscow and Jerusalem, and the prime minister’s accusations underscore the geopolitical dimension of migration narratives.
By linking the Ceuta surge to external propaganda, Sanchez aims to shift focus from domestic criticism to an external threat narrative, while also reinforcing Spain’s commitment to cooperate with Morocco and to secure additional EU support for border management.
Related: Pedro Sánchez · Ceuta