Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has selected Major General Roman Gofman, his current military secretary, to lead Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad. This appointment marks a significant shift, as Gofman lacks direct experience within the intelligence community. He is set to succeed David Barnea in June of next year, concluding Barnea’s five-year tenure.
Despite Gofman’s non-intelligence background, Netanyahu’s office highlighted his “exceptional professional capabilities” and his role as a “highly distinguished officer.” The statement emphasized his “continuous coordination” with all security and intelligence bodies throughout his career. His recent tenure as military secretary during wartime, where he demonstrated rapid adaptation and significant involvement across multiple conflict zones, was particularly noted.
Gofman’s contributions to the ongoing conflict against Hamas were also cited, praising his “creativity, initiative, ingenuity, deep knowledge of the enemy, complete discretion, and strict confidentiality.” The Prime Minister’s Office expressed confidence in Gofman’s qualifications, stating he is the “most qualified and suitable candidate” for the challenging role of Mossad director.
Born in Belarus in 1976, Gofman immigrated to Israel in 1990. He embarked on his military career in 1995, joining the armored corps and serving as a tank commander. His military service includes command roles in various armored brigades and divisions, and he previously held the position of operations officer for the 36th Division. Notably, he was deployed to the Gaza border following the October 7th attacks, where he sustained injuries. He is known to have a close relationship with Prime Minister Netanyahu and retains his trust despite past controversial remarks.