Gofman approved to lead Mossad, takes office June 2

JERUSALEM — Major-General Roman Gofman, Israel’s prime minister’s military secretary, has been approved to become the next director of the Mossad, Israel’s national intelligence agency. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the appointment on April 12, 2026, after a vetting committee signed off on the selection. Officials said the committee was led by former Supreme Court chief justice Asher Grunis.

Gofman is set to assume the post on June 2, 2026. He will replace David Barnea, who is due to complete a five-year term, and whose tenure began in 2021. The changeover places a senior military figure at the head of an organization that operates as a global intelligence service.

Gofman is 49 and immigrated to Israel from Belarus when he was 14, according to the details provided with the appointment. His move into the Mossad role marks a shift from a military career into leadership of the intelligence agency. The approval followed what was described as a period of internal deliberation, and it comes amid questions raised about his lack of prior experience inside the Mossad itself.

Historically, most Mossad directors have come up through the agency’s own ranks. Since 1982, six of the last eight directors were promoted from within, while two—Meir Dagan and Danny Yatom—were appointed from outside the organization. Gofman’s selection therefore aligns with the less common path of choosing a leader who did not build a career inside the agency.

Supporters of Gofman have pointed to his record of decisive leadership during his military service. One example cited from his career is an incident in 2000 in which he reportedly led a tank unit that neutralized an incursion in Gaza. The appointment announcement framed his next task as leading a global intelligence service despite not having served previously within the Mossad.

The transition is expected to include potential changes within the Mossad’s leadership structure, which is described as typical when a new director takes office. Beyond the leadership handover, officials did not provide further detail on operational priorities or internal appointments tied to the change.