Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has accused networks linked to Russia and Israel of spreadingdisinformation around the migration crisis in Ceuta, claiming the two countries were exploiting the issue in retaliation for Madrid’s position on the war in Ukraine and Israel’s actions in the Palestinian Territories.

More than 72,000migrants rushed across the borderfrom Morocco into Ceuta, an autonomous Spanish territory on the North African coast, between July 30 and 31. At least 70 people died during the attempted mass-crossings, according to Spain’s nationalEFE news agency.

The vast majority were returned to Morocco, but around 5,000 migrants remained in Ceuta at the end of August, including 1,200 minors, according to Sanchez.

“After July 30 and 31, there was a spread of rumors and disinformation from social networks linked both to Russia and to Israel, and the international far-right that always uses migration not only to attack Spain, but also to attack Europe and divide it,” Sanchez told Spanish radio networkCadena SERon Monday.

He said research by the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Union’s diplomatic service, indicated links with Israeli and Russian networks, but he gave no further details.

“It is evident that if Russia gets involved in spreading disinformation on this issue, or Israel also spreads disinformation on this issue, criticizing the Spanish government, it will not be because they are concerned about migration in Spain or Europe, but precisely because of the political positions we are taking — courageous ones, I believe — regarding the genocide in Gaza or Putin’s invasion of Ukraine,” Sánchez said.

The EEAS did not immediately respond to a CBS News request for comment on the research cited by Sánchez.

Spain has strongly supported Ukraine since Russia launched its ongoing full-scale invasion in February 2022, and Sánchez has been one of the most outspoken European critics of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

“Spain condemned the Hamas attacks and, immediately afterward, condemned the genocide being perpetrated by the Israeli authorities in the Gaza Strip,” Sánchez said during anews conference in May.

On Monday, the Spanish leader rejected speculation that Moroccan authorities had encouraged the rush on the border at the end of July, calling his country’s cooperation on immigration matters with Morocco “frankly very positive,” and adding that the crisis “can only be resolved through cooperation.”

Источник: CBS News