A mysterious report suggesting that one Arab leader urged another to sign an agreement that would “lull Israel to sleep” is likely part of a sophisticated Mossad psychological warfare campaign that has left Arab leaders deeply unsettled, according to Dr. Ron Schleifer, an expert in psychological warfare.
In an interview with Arutz Sheva-Israel National News, Schleifer said the leaked account should be viewed as a calculated intelligence operation rather than an ordinary media report. Although the identities of the two leaders remain undisclosed, he argued that revealing their names is not the primary objective. “Israel is probably eavesdropping on Arab leaders and decided to spread this report. Amit Segal is the one who received the report; he’s the ideal choice since he has right-wing views and works for Channel 12, which is still the most popular channel in Israel; that way, you get maximum exposure.”
Schleifer explained that the operation serves several strategic purposes. He believes the two unidentified leaders are now under tremendous personal strain, fearing that their identities could eventually be exposed. According to him, the uncertainty itself weakens them. The two “aren’t eating, not drinking, out of worry, pressure, and fear of the huge embarrassment they’ll have when their identities are revealed; and they will be revealed at some point to the Western audience. They have an enormous amount of worry that prevents them from directing energy towards advancing their goals.”
Beyond the impact on the two individuals, Schleifer said the leak sends a chilling message to governments throughout the Arab world. Leaders are now forced to wonder whether Israeli intelligence services are intercepting even their most confidential conversations and other closely guarded secrets, creating widespread unease and suspicion.
He added that the incident also reinforces Israel’s technological and intelligence superiority without requiring any public demonstrations of its capabilities. “You don’t need military and technology fairs to hint at this. One line to a journalist does the job. Another gain is the increase in the level of anxiety in the Arab world, where everyone is asking who these two leaders are.” Schleifer said the resulting atmosphere of paranoia ultimately benefits Israel.
Schleifer also argued that many Israelis recognize that attempts to deceive Israel are a legitimate tactic employed by Arab governments, pointing to Egypt as an example. “We have a peace treaty with Egypt, but it violated it in the first week after it was signed, and now the entire Sinai Peninsula has become a platform for military equipment rather than a means of fighting ISIS. This is clear to us, but it is still not clear to the Western world.”
Concluding his analysis, Schleifer praised what he sees as a growing emphasis on psychological warfare within Israel’s security establishment. “It is very encouraging to see that the Israeli security establishment is moving toward psychological warfare. I understand that the technical aspect is carried out by Unit 8200, and from there it moves throughout the security establishment. The Shin Bet deals with matters within Israel, the IDF operates in Gaza, Lebanon, and Judea and Samaria, and that leaves the Mossad.” He believes the Mossad, under the leadership of Roman Gofman, decided to launch the operation because of the strategic advantages it offers.
“The entire Arab world is boiling because of two lines leaked to a journalist. All of this followed a phone call to a journalist who can be trusted. This is a good sign. We are in a region where military activity is different, and we are finally adapting ourselves to these challenges. It is a very positive sign.”
{Matzav.com}
