Sanchez: Ceuta migrant crisis a plot by Russia, Israel and international far-right

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez claimed that Russia, Israel and an international far-right network spread fake news and disinformation regarding the Ceuta migrant crisis. He argued that these actors targeted Spain and Europe via social media, attempting to sow division.

Tens of thousands of migrants entered Ceuta suddenly on July 30-31, and Spanish authorities failed to anticipate the scale. Despite the existence of intelligence reports, Sanchez stated that the scale and severity of the crisis could not be predicted. Contradictory statements by Defense Minister Robles and Interior Minister Marlaska regarding whether prior warnings were received were denied by Sanchez, who said there was no contradiction.

The government announced it had prepared 6,000 accommodation places for crisis management; capacity allocated for children was increased from 200 to 1,200. Sanchez acknowledged that most arriving migrants came for economic rather than humanitarian reasons. A strategy of blaming external powers rather than resolving the crisis appears to be being pursued.