Russia and Israel inflamed Ceuta crisis, claims Spanish PM
Russia and Israel inflamed Ceuta crisis, claims Spanish PM
Graham KeeleyMon, August 31, 2026 at 3:38 PM UTC
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Some of the estimated 5,000 migrants who remain in Ceuta queueing up for registration on Monday - Antonio Sempere/AFP via Getty Images
Pedro Sánchez, the Spanish prime minister, has accused Russia and Israel of inflaming the Ceuta crisis by spreading disinformation online.
Mr Sánchez cited research by the EU’s External Action Service (EAS) that said Russia and Israeli networks attacked Spain over the chaotic influx of Moroccan migrants to the Spanish exclave on the north African coast.
At least 72,000 migrants poured across the border from Morocco into Ceuta on July 30, prompting a diplomatic crisis in which 22 EU countries criticised Spain over its migration policy.
Migrants attempt to board a boat amid the chaotic scenes on the border between Morocco and Ceuta at the end of July - Mohamed Siali/EPA-EFE Shutterstock
On Monday, migrants who remained in Ceuta waited on the street to be registered in the Spanish territory - Antonio Sempere/AFP via Getty Images
Most of the migrants have returned to Morocco but at least 5,000 remain in the territory of 82,000 people, and tensions with locals have risen.
On Monday, Mr Sánchez told the Cadena SER radio station that it was “evident” that Israel and Russia used the Ceuta crisis to criticise Spain as they were at odds with Madrid over its opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s war in Gaza.
But Israel accused Mr Sánchez of “lying shamelessly” about the country’s supposed involvement.
Pedro Sánchez has claimed that Russia and Israel have no interest in the migration issue in Europe but wanted to attack his government - La Moncloa (Spanish government)/Anadolu via Getty Images
Mr Sánchez told Cadena SER there were “indeed Russian and Israeli networks that attacked the Spanish government and the European workers on a very sensitive issue: the fight against irregular migration, which is currently dividing, fracturing, and polarising many European countries”.
“It’s obvious that Russia is involved in spreading disinformation on this issue. Israel is also spreading disinformation on this issue by criticising the Spanish government,” he said.
“And that won’t be because they are worried about migration to Spain from Europe, but precisely because of the political positions we’re taking – which I think are courageous – regarding the genocide in Gaza or Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.”
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Gideon Saar, the Israeli foreign minister, responded, saying: “In his interview with Cadena SER today, he [Mr Sánchez] lied again, astonishingly accusing Israel of disseminating misleading information regarding the events in Ceuta.
“This is a brazen lie. Continuing to spread defamatory lies will not distract from Sánchez’s disgraceful failure to manage his country’s affairs.”
Spain’s Socialist leader has been an outspoken critic of Israel over its war in Gaza, and Spain has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The EAS did not immediately reply to a request for comment from The Telegraph.
Spanish police and soldiers escort a large group of migrants to the border to expel them from Ceuta following the border incursion - Jon Nazca/Reuters
On Monday, Italy extended the suspension of visa-free Schengen travel arrangements with Spain for a further 15 days.
The conservative coalition government in Rome led by Giorgia Meloni initially suspended visa-free travel rules with Spain on Aug 1 as a response to the Ceuta crisis.
The Spanish retaliated by introducing random checks on travellers arriving from Italian ports and airports.
The Italian government is reportedly concerned that a month after the Ceuta crisis, thousands of migrants remain in the Spanish territory and the Sánchez government appears unable or unwilling to get a grip on the situation.
Mr Sánchez went on to deny Moroccan involvement in the influx.
“No intelligence service with which the Spanish government normally cooperates sheds any doubt, or rather, suggests any doubt about the involvement in any way or another of the Moroccan authorities,” he said.
Source: “AOL Breaking”
