Tensions Rise in Ceuta Over Migrant Influx
Residents in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta dismantled and burned makeshift shelters used by migrants. This occurred amid rising tensions due to a large influx from Morocco. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accused networks linked to Russia and Israel of spreading disinformation, which intensified the crisis.
Demonstrators with Spanish flags moved toward beachside camps where migrants stayed. They destroyed shelters and set fires, as police worked to separate protesters from migrants. According to reports, protesters chanted “Invasores, expulsión” – “Invaders, expulsion.” The following day, hundreds of residents returned to the streets, targeting the Trampolín and Benítez beach areas, voicing the same chant.
The unrest came after over 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on July 30 and 31. The surge left at least 100 dead during the attempt. Authorities reported that about 5,000 migrants remained in the area.
Sánchez linked the mass crossing to foreign-backed disinformation. Spanish authorities noted that misleading videos and posts on social media falsely claimed that migrants reaching Ceuta by sea could stay in Spain.
Sánchez stated research by the EU’s European External Action Service suggested Russian and Israeli networks contributed to the disinformation. He argued these networks aimed to attack Madrid due to disagreements over conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Despite his allegations, Sánchez offered no detailed evidence.
Israeli and Russian officials denied the accusations. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused Sánchez of deflecting from domestic policy failures. The Kremlin’s Dmitry Peskov also dismissed the link to Russia.
Sánchez also denied allegations that Morocco facilitated the border surge. Some Spanish opposition parties and rights groups accused Morocco of allowing the crossings, which Rabat denied.
Disinformation related to the Ceuta crossing was already spreading before Sánchez’s accusations. An investigation found misleading posts about Spanish immigration law circulating online, coupled with information on crossing routes and times.
This situation also affected other countries. Italy extended its suspension of Schengen free-movement with Spain, initially imposed in response to the mass influx.
Sánchez has also faced criticism from some experts, pointing out potential political exploitation of the crisis by Islamist movements in Morocco and Spain. These movements allegedly used the crisis to portray Europe as an attractive option and criticize Moroccan government ties with Israel and the U.S.
This crisis could have broader implications for Europe. Experts warned that a collapse of the Schengen agreement could unravel the European Union project itself.