Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: In a surprising move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed a senior military commander — someone with no prior intelligence experience — as the next Mossad head. The choice of such a figure to lead one of the world’s most noted spy agencies is intriguing.
Major General Roman Gofman will take over from the current Mossad chief David Barnea. Barnea’s term ends in June next year. It was on Thursday that Netanyahu announced the appointment of Gofman. It comes as Israel continues struggles with the fallout of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and the subsequent multi-front escalation across the region.
Gofman was named the next Mossad chief after a series of discussions over a period of many months. Netanyahu reportedly chose Gofman who has served as his military secretary since 2024.
Even though Mossad has, sometimes, been headed by those with military backgrounds rather than intelligence ranks, Gofman has never worked within the organisation he is now set to lead.
Gofman’s road to the top of Mossad is unconventional, though not entirely without precedent. Born in Belarus in 1976, he came to Israel with his family in 1990 when he was 14. In 1995, Gofman joined the IDF Armoured Corps. Thus started a long journey through field commands, operational headquarters, and divisional roles.
Gofman has been in the military for more than three decades. He has assumed roles ranging from tank commander and battalion leader to brigade commander. He later became the division chief in northern and southern sectors.
As it made the announcement, Netanyahu’s office commended Gofman’s service and capabilities, stressing his wartime performance.
The office statement read, “Gofman is an officer of great merit.” It highlighted his conduct during the Gaza war as evidence of his capability. The statement praised his role as military secretary to Netanyahu “proved his exceptional professional capabilities”.
The statement also stressed on the qualities that Netanyahu sees as crucial for the head of Mossad. It lauded Gofman's “creativity, initiative, ingenuity, deep knowledge of the enemy, complete discretion, and strict confidentiality”.
Gofman's proximity to Netanyahu is well-known. He has worked closely with Netanyahu for almost two years. Gofman has played a key role in coordinating the prime minister’s directives with the IDF and other security agencies during the Gaza conflict. The PMO underlined that Gofman maintained continuous liaison with intelligence services, including Mossad, throughout that period.
Gofman started as a young conscript in the Armoured Corps, and later became a tank commander in the 188th Armoured Brigade. His career progresses steadily, culminating in his command of the 7th Armoured Brigade’s 75th Battalion in 2011. Two years later, he was appointed as operations officer for the 36th Division. In 2017, he returned to the Armoured Corps and headed the 7th Armoured Brigade. Gofman also led the 210th “Bashan” Regional Division in the Golan Heights in 2018. In 2022, Gofman assumed command of the Tzeelim training base in the south. However, his tenure abruptly ended due to the events of October 7, 2023.
During the Hamas attack, Gofman ran to the Gaza border from his command post. Fighting broke out near the Sha’ar Hanegev Junction, and Gofman was badly injured during clashes with Hamas. He got lavish praise from Netanyahu for his action, who said, “He was wounded there, recovered, and has been doing tremendous work for Israel’s security.”
Gofman was given the role of a senior position at the Defence Ministry’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT). Later, he took over the role of military secretary to the prime minister. His proximity to the PM has helped him climb the ranks.
