On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named Major General Roman Gofman, his military secretary, the future head of Mossad, the nation’s foreign intelligence organization. He will take over for David Barnea, whose five-year term expires in June of the following year.
Netanyahu’s office described Gofman as a “highly distinguished officer” with outstanding professional talents, despite the fact that he had no prior experience in intelligence. Additionally, it stated that Gofman has “maintained continuous coordination” with all security and intelligence organizations.
“His appointment as the prime minister’s military secretary in the midst of the war… proved that he possesses exceptional professional capabilities, from his rapid entry into the role to his immediate and significant involvement in the seven arenas of the war,” the statement from the PMO read.
The PMO praised Gofman’s “creativity, initiative, ingenuity, deep knowledge of the enemy, complete discretion, and strict confidentiality” and added that he was crucial to Mossad’s ongoing struggle against Hamas. “The prime minister believes that Maj. Gen. Gofman is the most qualified and suitable candidate to serve as Mossad director and wishes him great success in this important role,” stated the statement.
Who is the new director of Mossad, Major General Roman Gofman?
Gofman was born in Belarus in 1976 and relocated to Israel in 1990. Five years later, he became a tank commander in the 188th Armoured Brigade of the Israeli military’s armoured corps. The Times of Israel said that Gofman was also in charge of the 7th Armoured Brigade’s 75th Battalion.
In 2013, he was appointed operations officer of the 36th Division. He was transferred to the West Bank two years later, but returned to the 7th Armoured Brigade in 2017. In 2020, he was appointed commander of the 210th ‘Bashan’ Regional Division. Following the October 7 attacks, he was deployed to the Gaza border, where he was injured during an attack.
He currently serves as Netanyahu’s military secretary. According to The Times of Israel, Gofman is recognized for his tight relationship with Netanyahu. Despite making several controversial statements in the past, he continues to maintain the trust of Israel’s prime minister.
