Uncovering Betrayal: Why Some Spy for Iran

A 72-year-old retiree from Ashkelon, a 35-year-old man from Ukraine, a married couple from Ramat Gan, a former Haredi from Bnei Brak, and seven Arabs from Beit Safafa. What do all these people have in common? They were all uncovered by the Israel Security Agency and arrested over the past few months. They are suspected of committing one of the most serious offenses in the legal code: collaborating with the enemy in wartime, a crime that can result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

It's shocking to hear of such cases; people who live among us, who share the experience of war and the threat to life, yet are willing to reveal secrets that could lead, Heaven forbid, to the murder of Jews, more precise missile strikes, assassination of officials, and other severe acts.

Nevertheless, at least seven separate cases have emerged over the past months, involving people who maintained connections with Iranian agents and collaborated with them in various ways. In total, twenty people are facing charges, including the most severe accusations.

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The Betrayal Factory

For those wondering how Israeli citizens might risk their lives and those of their families for an enemy state, there is significant psychological depth involved. Dr. Ilan Diamant, a clinical psychologist and former advisor to the defense system, and Shlomo Feld, an ex-security official, authored the book 'Betrayal in the Secret Kingdom – A Journey into the Minds of Spies Who Betrayed Their State' (Matar Publishing).

They both assert that it's no coincidence that certain individuals become collaborators with enemy states, as there is a distinct psychological background. "We should all grow up in a family environment where the figures taking care of us support us from the day we are born," says Dr. Diamant. "In a healthy and normal situation, we know that in times of need, those around us provide physical support or emotional reassurance. This trust affects the rest of our lives, as we believe in the systems around us. When there is a breakdown in this basic trust, we see that people enter crises causing them to betray the trust given to them.

"Unequivocally, there is no such thing as 'happy traitors.' No one breaches trust because they had a good and happy life. Upon examining their background, there's always significant distress and crisis resulting from a lack of the security they should have in life.

"Another common denominator among such people is that they often possess narcissistic personalities, prioritizing their honor and ego above all else. The feeling of achievement and success in completing tasks, as well as the respect and attention they receive, make them feel valued."

But many people experience these conditions without becoming traitors...

"Of course, there are, but by understanding these similarities, we can define risk groups. Additionally, other factors may drive people to collaborate with harmful entities to their state, the most obvious being money. Initially, they are not offered much, but the sums gradually increase, which can be very significant for them. Such individuals reach a 'tunnel vision' state, where they weigh their actions' implications less, causing their restraints to weaken. Subsequently, feelings like fear or caution are overcome by urges for adventure or greed. After a few tests where the agent sees they are cooperating, the reward is increased, making it challenging to stop and escape. When they consider leaving, they're threatened with exposure and lifetime imprisonment. Thus, they become addicted and struggle to put an end to it.

"If you notice," Dr. Diamant highlights, "the recently exposed cases exhibit it all – people with complicated pasts who experienced trust issues, weakened restraints, and sought money and ego. In all these cases, everyone knew well they were being operated by Iran, making it gravely unforgivable."

The book

Outside the Norm

"It's important to know that in the current event, these aren't volunteers for the Iranians but rather those they caught in their net," adds Feld. "In all cases, these are people who were fully aware of their actions. The only way to explain it is that they didn't truly allow themselves to feel the actions' horrifying meaning. For example, they justify their actions with 'moral' excuses: 'It's not really that damaging,' or 'What harm was done by photographing a military base? Its image is everywhere online anyway.'

"Even in severe situations, they do not view it as betrayal but convince themselves: 'It's not like I would really assassinate someone; obviously, I'd pull back at the last minute.' I expect this will be the defense line for these defendants. 'It's not that they're betraying their country, they're seeking solutions to their distress and are very self-centered.'"

Is this phenomenon found in other countries as well?

"Certainly. The phenomenon of state betrayal is well-known in both Jewish and global history and exists in every place and nation. Betrayal is a breach in trust in any human society, and there's also betrayal within communities and families."

Do the traitors actually believe they can relay information without getting caught?

"Yes, that's what they think, even though anyone observing from the outside would know it's illogical and surely the day will come when they're caught. Yet in such situations, their judgment system is impaired, convincing themselves that they're cautious and no one will catch them. From this mentality, they continue moving forward, distorting reality for themselves, racing like a car without brakes, just as gamblers do, with no restraint."

(Photo: shutterstock)

$500 for Graffiti

So how do you think it played out in the recent cases?

"In this case, the Iranians cast a wide net," Feld clarifies. "They didn't specifically approach anyone in a senior position to recruit nor conducted research to find someone financially desperate willing to risk themselves. They simply posted ads in various networks and received responses from people. From those who responded, they filtered and managed to find a few willing to spray graffiti, take photos, or perform other simple tasks for $500. For those who succeeded in their task, they were given a further mission for $1500, like photographing a certain person's car, which later discovered to belong to an Israeli nuclear scientist, and other such tasks."

So is it mere coincidence that these particular individuals were caught in their net?

"Not quite," Diamant clarifies again, "because in the overwhelming majority of cases, the individuals caught in the net share a lot in common. A normative personality affiliated with their state and feeling connected to it would not collaborate with enemy countries, not even for a million dollars. But that's precisely the point – to find those who are not normative, who would agree to carry out such tasks.

"It's also important to emphasize, based on CIA studies, that most traitors do not have mental disorders, but they do face significant personal difficulties, and this move of betraying their country often occurs out of desperation. If we were to look into their pasts, we frequently discover great neglect, abuse, or violence that wasn't addressed."

And what lies ahead for them?

Dr. Diamant and Feld observe that at this stage, it's hard to predict, as the trials of the defendants have yet to occur. "However, one characteristic of this world is that once someone enters it, it's incredibly hard to return," Dr. Diamant explains. "The message the enemy constantly conveys is: 'You can't return to a normal life; if you reveal our secrets, we'll expose you.' Ultimately, they are usually caught by their state's law enforcement or forced to remain for the rest of their lives in the country for which they spied, living as an outsider in a foreign land. One thing is clear: the chance of emerging physically and mentally unscathed from such a mission is nearly nonexistent."