Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said there is no evidence that Morocco orchestrated last month’s mass border crossing into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, while accusing Russia and Israel of spreading disinformation.
The influx of around 70,000 people at the end of July triggered a political and humanitarian crisis and reignited tensions within the European Union over migration. About 141 people are believed to have died trying to enter the territory. Some observers suggested Morocco may have engineered the crossing to express displeasure at Spain’s improving relations with Algeria.
Speaking on Cadena Ser radio on Monday, Sánchez said no intelligence agency had provided information that cast doubt on the Moroccan authorities’ involvement. He stressed that cooperation with Morocco was positive and that the crisis could only be resolved through cooperation, warning that a lack of trust would only aggravate the already complex situation in Ceuta. He repeated his claim that criminal gangs had exploited disinformation to spread false reports that a supreme court ruling prevented the deportation of anyone who entered Ceuta by swimming.
Sánchez accused social media accounts linked to Russia, Israel and the international far right of spreading fake news in an effort to use migration as a weapon against Spain and Europe. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar responded furiously, describing the allegation as a blatant lie and accusing Sánchez of seeking to divert attention from his own failures in managing the country’s affairs. The Kremlin also denied any connection to the crisis, according to the RBC daily.
While the vast majority of migrants crossed back into Morocco weeks ago, at least 5,000 people, including 1,200 minors, remain on the streets of Ceuta. Their continuing presence has led to clashes between some residents and police, with reports of migrants’ belongings being burned as they slept on beaches. Four Moroccan migrants were arrested for throwing stones at Spanish soldiers. Sánchez said there would soon be sufficient capacity to accommodate everyone still in the enclave.
Spain’s conservative People’s Party has accused the government of failing to protect Ceuta’s residents. Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo said authorities had done nothing to prevent the events of 30 July and were failing to address a public order crisis that is worsening daily. Santiago Abascal, leader of the far-right Vox party, described the situation as an invasion and an act of war promoted by Morocco and tolerated by Sánchez.