Netanyahu Appoints Major General Roman Gofman as New Mossad Chief
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally appointed Major General Roman Gofman as the next director of the Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence agency. The appointment was approved on Sunday, with Gofman scheduled to assume office on June 2, 2026, succeeding current director David Barnea upon the completion of his five-year term. This selection marks a significant departure from tradition, as Gofman is an army officer with no prior background in intelligence operations. He built his military career primarily within Israel’s armoured corps after immigrating from Belarus as a teenager. Additionally, Gofman studied at the Ely yeshiva, a religious institution located in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank, which is known for its right-wing religious Zionist ideology. The choice highlights Netanyahu's influence over key security appointments and raises questions about the future direction of the intelligence agency under leadership rooted in conventional military rather than espionage expertise. The announcement has drawn attention due to Gofman's unique profile compared to previous Mossad chiefs, who typically rose through the ranks of the intelligence community.
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Netanyahu Appoints Major General Roman Gofman as New Mossad Chief
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally appointed Major General Roman Gofman as the next director of the Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence agency. The appointment was approved on Sunday, with Gofman scheduled to assume office on June 2, 2026, succeeding current director David Barnea upon the completion of his five-year term. This selection marks a significant departure from tradition, as Gofman is an army officer with no prior background in intelligence operations. He built his military career primarily within Israel’s armoured corps after immigrating from Belarus as a teenager. Additionally, Gofman studied at the Ely yeshiva, a religious institution located in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank, which is known for its right-wing religious Zionist ideology. The choice highlights Netanyahu's influence over key security appointments and raises questions about the future direction of the intelligence agency under leadership rooted in conventional military rather than espionage expertise. The announcement has drawn attention due to Gofman's unique profile compared to previous Mossad chiefs, who typically rose through the ranks of the intelligence community.
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