Spain’s prime minister blames Russia, Israel and far right for fake news that triggered Ceuta influx

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has blamed Russian and Israeli networks and the international far right for fake news that he says helped trigger a mass migrant influx into the Spanish territory of Ceuta in North Africa.

In an interview with Cadena SER radio, Sánchez said the networks spread false information and used irregular migration to attack his government. He said social media distorted a June Supreme Court ruling, presenting it as meaning that people who swam into Ceuta could not be returned.

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Russian and Israeli networks spread fake news and used the irregular migration issue to attack the Spanish government.

The court had ruled that people who entered by sea, rather than crossing a fence or other physical barrier, could not be expelled immediately at the scene. They instead had to go through formal procedures, including identity checks and access to legal assistance.

Sánchez said the ruling was twisted into a message that anyone entering by sea could not be sent back. More than 70,000 migrants reached Ceuta in late July, including people who swam, and at least 96 people died. Spain returned most of them to Morocco.

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Social media messages distorted the Supreme Court ruling by suggesting that if people swam to Ceuta, it would be impossible to return them immediately at the scene.

The prime minister said Morocco had not been involved in the influx. He said none of the intelligence services with which Spain normally cooperates had raised suspicions of direct or indirect involvement by Moroccan authorities. The Spanish government estimates that between 3,000 and 7,000 migrants remain in Ceuta and has announced plans to allow 500 minors there to move to mainland Spain.

Sánchez has recognized a Palestinian state and criticized Israel over the Gaza war. He has also supported Ukraine with tanks and defensive missiles and opposed Russia’s invasion. Both Russia and Israel have criticized his government over those positions, according to the report.

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No intelligence service with which the Spanish government generally cooperates has raised suspicions of direct or indirect involvement by the Moroccan authorities.