In a significant move for Israel's security establishment, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has selected a senior military officer with no formal intelligence background to lead the country's renowned foreign intelligence agency. On Thursday, Netanyahu appointed his military secretary, Major General Roman Gofman, as the next director of the Mossad.
A Surprising Choice for a Critical Role
Major General Roman Gofman is set to replace the current Mossad chief, David Barnea, when his five-year term concludes in June 2026. The announcement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) praised Gofman as a "highly distinguished officer." It highlighted that his appointment as the prime minister's military secretary during the ongoing war demonstrated "exceptional professional capabilities," citing his rapid adaptation and significant involvement across multiple conflict arenas.
This decision marks the second time recently that Netanyahu has chosen a figure aligned with his nationalist outlook to head a key security institution. It follows the appointment of David Zini, from Israel's religious Zionist movement, to lead the Shin Bet domestic security agency.
Who is Roman Gofman?
Born in Belarus in 1976, Roman Gofman immigrated to Israel at age 14. He began his long military career in 1995 by joining the army's armoured corps. Despite having never served within the Mossad itself, Netanyahu's office stated that Gofman has worked closely with the agency and other defence bodies in his capacity as military secretary.
Gofman's background includes studying at the Ely yeshiva, a Jewish religious school in a West Bank settlement known for its right-wing religious Zionist leanings, though he does not wear a yarmulke. In 2020, he was appointed commander of the 210th "Bashan" Regional Division, overseeing Israel's border with Syria. His tenure there was later scrutinised after he authorised an arrangement where intelligence officers provided classified information to a teenager for an unauthorised social media campaign.
Career Marked by War and Controversy
At the start of the Gaza war following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, Gofman was serving as commander of the national infantry training centre. He was seriously wounded that same day during clashes with Hamas militants in the southern city of Sderot, near the Gaza border. His direct involvement in the war's early hours was noted in the PMO's statement.
Gofman joined the prime minister's office as military secretary in April 2024 and is regarded as close to Netanyahu, having served in that role for nearly two years. He travelled extensively on the prime minister's behalf and was responsible for supervising the execution of Netanyahu's directives within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The Mossad, one of the world's most prominent intelligence agencies, was notably not implicated in the intelligence failures leading up to the October 7 attacks, as the Palestinian territories fall outside its traditional jurisdiction. This contrasts with the heads of Shin Bet and military intelligence (Aman), who resigned after accepting responsibility for the security lapses.
The Prime Minister's Office concluded its announcement by stating, "The prime minister believes that Maj Gen Gofman is the most qualified and suitable candidate to serve as Mossad director and wishes him great success in this important role." The appointment sets the stage for a new chapter in Israel's intelligence leadership, beginning in mid-2026.
