Benjamin Netanyahu Appoints Roman Gofman Mossad Chief

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, has appointed Major General Roman Goffman as the next director of Israel — Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence agency. This decision is notable because Roman Goffman is an outsider to the intelligence community, having a career primarily in the military's armoured corps. He will replace David Barnea, whose term ends in June 2026. Benjamin Netanyahu's choice bypassed candidates recommended by David Barnea. Roman Goffman, born in Belarus, immigrated to Israel at 14 and rose through military ranks, notably serving as Benjamin Netanyahu's military secretary since April 2024. He was seriously wounded during clashes with Hamas militants in Sderot on October 7, 2023. While Israel — Mossad was not blamed for the intelligence failures surrounding the October 7 attack, unlike Israel — Shabak and Military intelligence, Roman Goffman's appointment has drawn some criticism, particularly from Uri Misgav of Haaretz, who questioned his lack of intelligence experience. The appointment reflects Benjamin Netanyahu's pattern of choosing security chiefs aligned with his ideological worldview.