Did Israel Cause the Migrant Crisis in Ceuta? An Investigation

The Associated Press has published an investigation into the migration crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, where about 60,000 migrants from Morocco entered within two days, nearly 70% of the city's population. The investigation found no evidence for conspiracy theories implicating the US and Israel. Catalysts were identified as the actions of smugglers and disinformation on social media. About 60 people died during the crossing. By Friday evening, most migrants had returned to Morocco.

The international news agency Associated Press conducted an investigation into the migration crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, where about 60,000 migrants from Morocco entered within two days (Thursday and Friday), accounting for roughly 70% of the city's permanent population. During the crossing, about 60 people died—they drowned or perished in the crush. The investigation examined conspiracy theories from social media alleging organized involvement of the US and Israel in the incident as a response to Madrid's policy on the Middle East conflict. The verification showed a complete lack of evidence supporting this hypothesis. Although the Israeli prime minister had previously reproached Madrid for a diplomatic campaign against the Jewish state, and US President Donald Trump criticized Pedro Sánchez's cabinet, journalists emphasize that political disagreements do not confirm involvement. According to Spanish authorities' assessments, the real catalysts were the actions of smugglers and disinformation on social media about fully open borders, as well as a mistaken perception of the Spanish Supreme Court's decision on the impossibility of immediate deportation of migrants arriving by sea. There is no data indicating that Morocco deliberately opened the borders. Moroccan gendarmes initially did not intervene, but later used water cannons, tear gas, and batons. By Friday evening, most of the participants in the breach had voluntarily returned to Morocco, and none reached the European mainland.