Dr. Ron Schleifer, a psychological warfare expert, sees the recent publication of the report about an Arab leader recommending that a different leader sign an agreement that would "lull Israel to sleep" as part of the Mossad's psychological warfare.
In an interview with Arutz Sheva-Israel National News, Dr. Schleifer presents different layers to the short report about the discussion between the two leaders, whose identities are still unknown, and to Schleifer, it does not really matter who they are. "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."
Regarding the entire move, Schleifer says that it has enormous benefits for Israel: first, Schleifer points out that two leaders, apparently senior leaders in Arab countries, are effectively being held by the throat by Israel. 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."
The leaders, and probably other Arab leaders, understand now that Israeli espionage and intelligence agencies are listening to their most secret conversations, including additional secrets that they keep at various levels and on various issues, and that too has a significant impact.
An additional benefit is that Israel again makes its technological superiority clear to everyone. "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." The paranoia among Arab leaders plays into Israel's hands.
Dr. Schleifer notes that many Israelis understand that such a deception operation is indeed a legitimate course of action for Arab leadership. Evidence of this can also be found in the peace treaty signed with Egypt. “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."
Dr. Schleifer concluded by saying: “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." Schleifer believes that the Mossad, under the leadership of Roman Gofman, chose to take this step and reap the security benefits it provides for Israel.
“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."