Gofman approved to lead Mossad after High Court rejects petitions against him

Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman will officially take the helm of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency on Tuesday, following the High Court of Justice's approval of his appointment. The court on Monday rejected petitions that challenged Gofman, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's nominee for the position.

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I expect that all of you to stand by Major General Gofman, and to continue to support his entrance to the role [of Mossad chief] in the best way possible.

Outgoing Mossad Director David Barnea, who had publicly opposed Gofman's selection, issued a letter to Mossad operatives urging their full support for the incoming chief. Barnea stressed the complex security challenges facing Israel and the Mossad's vital role in addressing them, stating that Gofman's success is intrinsically linked to the agency's and the nation's success.

The appointment process, first announced in December, navigated significant legal scrutiny. Petitions against Gofman centered on the "Elmakayes affair," involving allegations of improper conduct related to an unauthorized IDF-linked influence operation. A former IDF soldier, Ori Elmakayes, claimed he was used in the operation, which led to his arrest by the Shin Bet before the case was dropped upon the emergence of the alleged IDF connection.

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We have complex challenges in front of us which go to the heart of the security of the State of Israel, and the Mossad will have a central and influential role regarding them. The success of Major General Gofman is the same as the success of the Mossad and the success of the entire State of Israel.

The High Court's decision, made by a majority vote with Justices Ofer Grosskopf and Alex Stein in the majority, overruled concerns raised by Justice Dafna Barak-Erez about open questions regarding Gofman's conduct. Despite prior opposition and evident tensions, Barnea is committed to ensuring a smooth transition ceremony, respecting the court's ruling.

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Tomorrow, June 2, 2026, we will conduct the ceremony to change over the command at Mossad headquarters, in the presence of President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.