Ankara: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday pointed to Russia and Israel over the spread of disinformation during the migration crisis that hit Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta. Sanchez told broadcaster Cadena SER that hoaxes had spread on social media "associated with both Russia and Israel, as well as an international far-right (movement) that always uses migration, not only to attack Spain but also Europe."

According to Anadolu Agency, Sanchez highlighted that the reality faced does not necessarily imply involvement from a state actor. He reaffirmed that investigations into the causes of the Ceuta crisis are ongoing but indicated that hoaxes and disinformation played a significant role. A Supreme Court ruling had been misrepresented and disseminated through social media, including by criminal organizations involved in human trafficking. It was falsely claimed that individuals entering Ceuta by swimming could not be deported, which Sanchez emphasized as untrue but noted how this misinformation was propagated online.

Around 72,000 people irregularly crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on July 30-31, as per the Spanish government's official estimate. The unprecedented influx temporarily brought a number of migrants almost equivalent to the enclave's population, leading to sharp criticism of Madrid from other European governments. A group of 22 EU countries signed an open letter stating that Spain's relatively open migration policies acted as a 'pull factor.'