Mossad’s new chief: Mossad is considered Israel’s elite intelligence agency. It is responsible for gathering foreign intelligence and preventing attacks against Israeli citizens and interests abroad. The agency is also known for carrying out highly effective covert operations around the world and is sometimes involved in rescue or security missions to protect endangered Jewish communities overseas.
The latest development is that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed his military secretary as the next head of Mossad. The striking part of this decision is that the new chief, Roman Gofman, has never served in an intelligence role and has no such background. This has raised eyebrows among the top military leadership.
Who is Roman Gofman?
According to an AFI report, Goffman was born in Belarus in 1976 and moved to Israel at the age of 14. He joined the army’s armoured corps in 1995 and went on to have a long military career. When Hamas’s attack on Israel began on October 7, 2023, at the beginning of the Gaza War, Goffman was the commander of Israel’s National Infantry Training Center.
His other roles include, Battalion Commander of Battalion 75 in the 7th Brigade, Commander of the Etzion Brigade, Commander of the 7th Brigade, and Commander of the HaBashan Division.
Earlier, Netanyahu appointed David Zini, who is part of the Israeli religious Zionist movement, to lead Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security agency. Now, he has appointed Roman Gofman, who shares his nationalist views, to lead Israel’s largest intelligence agency, Mossad. Like Zini, Gofman does not have experience in the agency he is set to lead.
What Netanyahu said
“Maj.-Gen. Gofman has demonstrated creativity, initiative, stratagem, deep recognition of the enemy, absolute discretion, and the safeguarding of secrets. These qualities, as well as his leadership and courage, were evident at the outbreak of the war, when he rushed from his home and fought in person against Hamas terrorists in the Western Negev, where he was severely wounded,” Netanyahu said.
Currently serving as Netanyahu’s Military Secretary, Gofman has been in continuous contact with Israel’s intelligence and security services, including the Mossad. The appointment will be vetted by the Advisory Committee for Senior Appointments.
