Netanyahu Appoints Military Secretary Roman Gofman As Mossad Chief Starting June 2026

Netanyahu formally appointed Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman as the next head of the Mossad.

“The Office of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday, Sunday, the appointment of General Roman Gofman (49) to head the Mossad, with him to assume his duties on June 2, the coming June, after the approval by the committee responsible for senior appointments”

Al-Jazeera Net

The appointment was approved by the advisory committee, though Grunis remained in the minority.

Al-Jazeera Net

Gofman is a seasoned military general who has served as Netanyahu's military secretary since April 2024.

He was wounded during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, 2023.

The nomination has drawn criticism from officials who say he lacks the traditional background.

The committee's report dealt extensively with an incident involving 17-year-old Ori Elmakayes.

Elmakayes was detained after being accused of publishing classified information.

Al-Monitor

Grunis wrote that the use of a minor was an extremely serious ethical and moral flaw.

Elmakayes slammed the decision as ridiculous.

The committee declined to hear directly from Elmakayes.

Gofman received praise from Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.

“Israel’s Netanyahu picks his military secretary as new Mossad chief Maj”

Anadolu Ajansı

Zamir suggested Gofman could have replaced him as chief of staff.

Barnea strongly opposed Gofman's appointment.

Ori Elmakayes vowed to fight to disqualify the appointment.

The nomination has drawn criticism from civil society organizations.

Gofman emigrated to Israel in 1990 at age 14.

He rose through the IDF Armored Corps, becoming a division commander.

Haaretz

He was seriously wounded during the October 7, 2023 onslaught.

Before becoming military secretary, he wrote a controversial document on Gaza.

The Mossad has been credited with eliminating leaders from Hezbollah and Iran.