Spanish PM blames Russia, Israel for disinformation in Ceuta migrant crisis

Subscribed with another email? Logout and Login with that one. Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription Published - September 01, 2026 12:40 am IST - MADRID Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. File | Photo Credit: Reuters Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday (August 31, 2026) that there were indications that Russia and Israel had spread disinformation about Spain’s migration policy, triggering last month’s influx of migrants into Ceuta . However, he said there was no evidence of Moroccan involvement. Over 72,000 migrants irregularly crossed ‌from Morocco into the tiny Spanish territory between July 30 and 31 in an unprecedented surge at one of the European ‌Union’s only two land borders with Africa, prompting alarm across the ‌bloc. ⁠At least 100 people died in the attempt, according to Ceuta’s ⁠local authorities. Spanish Opposition parties and some human rights groups have accused Rabat of deliberately allowing the mass crossing, an accusation Morocco has denied. “When people talk and speculate about the participation ​of Moroccan authorities, I deny this ‌outright,” Mr. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russia’s Embassy in Spain and the EEAS did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. Roughly 5,000 migrants, some seeking asylum, have remained in Ceuta since the border rush, triggering near-daily protests from locals against the Spanish government’s handling of the crisis and sporadic attacks ‌against a makeshift migrant camp at El Trampolin beach, according to police reports.