Media confrontation between Madrid and Tel Aviv over migration dossier

Unprecedented diplomatic escalation: Gideon Saar labels Sánchez’s accusations as a “brazen lie”

In a significant development that weighs on Spanish-Israeli relations, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has responded sharply to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, describing his recent statements as “false and misleading.”

Sánchez had appeared in a radio interview on “Cadena SER,” where he directly linked Israel and Russia to what he described as disinformation campaigns that caused mass flows of migrants toward the city of Ceuta last July—an accusation that sparked outrage in Tel Aviv.

Saar: Sánchez’s accusations are an attempt to divert attention from domestic failure

In a swift and fiery response via the platform “X,” the Israeli Foreign Minister did not hesitate to describe Sánchez’s stance as a “brazen lie,” considering the inclusion of Israel in the irregular migration file as part of a disinformation strategy pursued by the Spanish Prime Minister.

Saar emphasized in his post that Sánchez’s persistence in leveling accusations and resorting to defamation is nothing but “conclusive proof of his shameful failure” in managing his country’s internal affairs, believing that such media maneuvers will not succeed in distracting the Spanish public from actual government shortcomings.

Ceuta crisis returns to the forefront with international repercussions

This diplomatic confrontation comes at a time when Spain is facing major challenges regarding migration and border control, where it appears Sánchez is attempting to find an “external party” to blame for the recent unrest. However, the Israeli response was decisive, denying any link between Israel and disinformation campaigns and stressing that involving its name in these files is a “flagrant lie” aimed at stoking public opinion.

This ongoing dispute remains an indicator of strained relations between Madrid and Tel Aviv, at a time when political pressure on the Sánchez government is growing to address the repercussions of the irregular migrant file away from the policy of “blame-shifting” with international parties.