Sánchez accuses Russia and Israel of disinformation

In connection with the incidents in the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accused Russia and Israel of spreading false information. “Rumors and disinformation” were spread through online services that were connected to both Russia and Israel, he said in an interview with the radio station Cadena Ser. He also blamed an “international right-wing extremist movement” that “always uses the issue of migration to attack and divide not only Spain, but also Europe.”

It was "obvious" that Russia and Israel used the Ceuta crisis to criticize the Spanish government, said Sánchez. He announced that his government would provide 168 million euros to restart Ceuta's economy.

EU Digital Commissioner Henna Virkkunen had previously blamed Meta and TikTok for the refugee movement to Ceuta and called for more decisive action against misinformation.

On July 30th and 31st, more than 72,000 people, mostly Moroccans, arrived on foot or by swimming from Morocco to Ceuta. Most returned or were returned shortly afterwards. According to the Spanish government, around 5,000 migrants are still in the exclave, while local authorities estimate there are around 10,000. According to official figures, at least 91 people died trying to reach Ceuta. Moroccan non-governmental organizations assume at least 141 dead and several missing.

Investigations into the cause of the rush are still ongoing

According to Sánchez, the cause of the crowd is still being investigated. "We're continuing to investigate," he said. It is already clear that a decision by the Supreme Court was partially distorted. Some reports had said that migrants who arrived by swimming in Ceuta could not be deported to Morocco. This is wrong, said Sánchez.

Sánchez ruled out any responsibility on the part of the Moroccan authorities for the rush. No secret service with which the government in Madrid usually works has revealed the slightest indication that the authorities of the North African country were involved "in one way or another" in the events. Morocco cooperated “immediately” and comprehensively with the Spanish authorities during the crisis.