An Israeli army general who was seriously wounded in a firefight with Hamas during its October 2023 assault into southern Israel will be the head of Mossad, the country’s national intelligence agency.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the nomination of Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman as Mossad chief in December. A government committee that oversees senior-level appointments signed off on the pick over the weekend.
“Major General Gofman has served as my military secretary for the past two years,” Mr. Netanyahu posted Sunday on X. “He is an outstanding officer — bold and creative — who has demonstrated throughout the war a perspective outside the box and impressive resourcefulness.”
Gen. Gofman will replace outgoing Mossad chief David Barnea, whose five-year term is set to end in June.
His appointment has generated controversy within government and intelligence circles in Israel. Gen. Gofman is an Israel Defense Forces officer with no prior background in intelligence-gathering or the type of special operations that Mossad often conducts.
According to Israeli media reports, Mr. Barnea opposed Gen. Gofman’s nomination, citing an incident involving the use of a minor as an intelligence source in a military operation that resulted in an official reprimand.
“Handling sources is a profession,” Mr. Barnea told the government committee, according to Israel’s YNet Global news. “There is one unit in the military that deals with it. When a commander decides to bypass procedures or military law, it has very significant implications.”
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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