New Mossad director: PM Netanyahu appoints his military secretary Maj.-Gen. Gofman to head spy agency

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his current Military Secretary, Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman, will become the next director of the Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence service.

Gofman will replace the current Head of the Mossad, David Barnea, who will conclude his five-year tenure in June 2026, Netanyahu’s office stated, adding that the appointment would be brought before the Advisory Committee for the Appointment of Senior Officials on Thursday.

Gofman is the highest-ranking IDF officer to be wounded in combat on Oct. 7, 2023, suffering serious wounds in a gunfight after rushing into combat despite being off-duty.

He was reportedly chosen over two other candidates who were endorsed by Barnea. The appointment is unusual as Gofman has no background of serving in any intelligence capacity, and, according to Army Radio, doesn’t speak English.

Channel 13 reported that there is significant disappointment in the Mossad after Gofman’s appointment and cited senior Mossad officials who said he is “not suitable.”

“Netanyahu had several experienced and capable candidates presented to him by Dadi Barnea from within the Mossad. Gofman lacks an intelligence background, and it will take him a year or two just to get up to speed in the role,” the officials added.

Defense Minister Israel Katz praised the appointment, noting Gofman is a “highly decorated officer” and has “extensive operational and intelligence experience from the top ranks of the IDF.”

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and Shin Bet director David Zini, who like Gofman was also an IDF general with no intelligence experience, also congratulated Gofman.

Former IDF chief and current Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz also praised the general but noted that he “will be required to undergo a long and complex learning process, which I am confident he will carry out with thoroughness and meticulousness, and I wish him success.”

The nomination had been expected behind the scenes for several months, Army Radio reported, noting that Gofman is seen as close to the prime minister and carried out several sensitive missions on his behalf over the past two years.

Gofman is also said to have a reputation of being headstrong and unafraid to offend superiors by claiming unpopular opinions.

He immigrated to Israel at the age of 14 from Belarus, and began his army service in the Armored Corps.

Gofman first drew national attention when, as commander of the 7th Armored Brigade, he confronted the army chief at the time, Gadi Eisenkot, during a meeting of top brass to demand that the military return to an emphasis on ground troops.

His nomination could still be in legal danger as Gofman is implicated in an affair that happened in 2020, during his time as commander of the 210th “Bashan” Regional Division.

Gofman supervised the use of Israeli teenager Ori Elmakayes for a covert unauthorized social media influence campaign. He was later held in detention on suspicion of possessing classified information before the charges were dropped.

He later claimed not have known Elmakayes was only 17 years old and to have authorized only non-classified information to be given to him.

In 2024, Gofman authored a document arguing for an Israeli military administration to control the Gaza Strip, contradicting the IDF's official stance. The military later clarified that the document did not align with its position.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, “his appointment as the Military Secretary to the Prime Minister in the midst of the War of Redemption proved his exceptional professional capabilities, from his rapid entry into the role to his immediate and significant involvement in the seven theaters of the war.”

Potentially anticipating criticism, the statement emphasized that “Maj.-Gen. Gofman has been in continuous contact with all intelligence and security services, especially with the Mossad” and showed “creativity, initiative, stratagem, deep recognition of the enemy, absolute discretion, and the safeguarding of secrets.”

“The Prime Minister believes that Maj.-Gen. Gofman is the worthiest and most suitable candidate for the position of Director of the Mossad and wishes him great success in this important role. His success is our success.”