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Mossad in turmoil: Purge, espionage, and a crisis of confidence with Washington
🇩🇿 Algeria /Conflict & Security

Mossad in turmoil: Purge, espionage, and a crisis of confidence with Washington

From El Watan · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • The Mossad is experiencing a severe internal crisis, marked by the dismissal of its deputy director and threats of resignation from senior officers.
  • The crisis is exacerbated by revelations of espionage operations targeting high-ranking U.S. officials, straining relations with Washington.
  • The new director, Roman Gofman, dismissed the deputy, known as 'A', who was considered a successor to the previous director and a key figure in anti-Iran operations.

Israel's foreign intelligence agency, the Mossad, is grappling with one of its most significant internal crises in recent history. The turmoil includes a high-profile dismissal, senior officers threatening to resign, and damaging revelations about espionage targeting American officials, all occurring at a critical juncture for Israel on multiple fronts.

I eat him at lunch before he eats me at dinner.

— Source close to GofmanIllustrating the perceived rationale behind the dismissal of the deputy director.

The crisis intensified shortly after the appointment of the new Mossad director, Roman Gofman. He dismissed his second-in-command, identified by the codename 'A', who had been designated as the natural successor by the previous director, David Barnea. This decision, communicated internally, reportedly caused consternation among Mossad agents. Sources close to Gofman claim the dismissal was a "preemptive strike" against an officer suspected of attempting to undermine the new leadership.

Gofman's assumption of duties and his desire to build the senior management team that will accompany him in achieving the institution's goals and challenges in the coming years.

— Mossad statementThe Prime Minister's office's official explanation for the deputy director's dismissal.

Despite an official statement from the Prime Minister's office attempting to frame the dismissal as a routine part of Gofman's transition and his efforts to build a new senior leadership team, the assurances have failed to quell internal dissent. Several Mossad executives have reportedly considered resigning, citing unprecedented political interference in the agency's management. Former director Barnea publicly criticized the decision as "irresponsible behavior" that could deeply disrupt the Mossad, particularly its operations against Iran.

irresponsible behavior

— David BarneaFormer Mossad director's public criticism of the dismissal.

The ousted officer, 'A', was reportedly a crucial figure in the Mossad's strategy against Iran. He was credited with leading and significantly expanding the agency's "Influence" division, which prepares for potential destabilization efforts against the Iranian regime. He also oversaw the Iranian dossier during two conflict cycles and managed a confidential project related to the missing Israeli pilot Ron Arad. Sources close to Barnea emphasize that efforts to counter Iran are being jeopardized by these internal conflicts.

risked deeply disorganizing the Mossad, especially on the Iranian front.

— David BarneaFormer Mossad director's assessment of the consequences of the dismissal.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Watan in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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