Full Breakdown
Legal Battle Over Roman Gofman's Mossad Appointment
5/13/2026, 12:29:56 AM
Appointment Dispute
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman, his military secretary, as Mossad director effective 2 June for five years. The Senior Appointments Advisory Committee approved the nomination by a majority; former Supreme Court president Asher Grunis, the committee chair, was the sole dissenting member.
Ori Elmakayes Background
- In 2022, while commanding the IDF’s 210th “Bashan” Division, Gofman authorized an online influence campaign that used 17-year-old Ori Elmakayes. Elmakayes posted material derived from classified sources, was detained by the Shin Bet for 18 months, and later had espionage charges dropped. Critics argue the operation breached military procedure and raises integrity concerns.
Official Positions
- Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara filed a petition to the High Court, calling the appointment “extremely unreasonable” and citing “substantial flaws” in the vetting process. She says the Elmakayes affair “casts a heavy shadow on Gofman’s integrity.”
- Netanyahu replied that the Mossad chief is appointed solely by the prime minister, praising Gofman’s “heroic” record and “exceptional leadership.” He argued the decision is a security matter deserving judicial deference.
- Outgoing director David Barnea sent a confidential letter warning that Mossad’s secrecy requires an “impeccable record” for its head.
Opposition, Criticism & Conflicting Reports
- Several coalition ministers, including Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, denounced the attorney-general’s filing as an attack on the government.
- Security officials question Gofman’s lack of intelligence-agency experience, noting Mossad chiefs have traditionally risen from within.
- Barnea’s letter implies Gofman approved the Elmakayes operation; Gofman’s lawyer maintains he did not know the teen’s age and only non-classified material was used.
- The advisory committee’s majority signed its opinion before reviewing Grunis’s dissent and before two members saw classified documents, a procedural flaw highlighted by the attorney-general.
- High Court justices have said they will intervene only if evidence shows Gofman personally directed the operation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The one who appoints the head of the Mossad is only the Prime Minister.” — Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
- “I cannot imagine that someone under me would approve such an operation at all,” — David Barnea, outgoing Mossad director
- “cannot stand legally.” — Gali Baharav-Miara, Attorney General of Israel
- “in Tehran, they are applauding you,” — Itamar Ben-Gvir, National Security Minister
Implications & Next Steps
- The High Court’s decision will determine whether Gofman assumes the post or is barred, setting a possible precedent for judicial review of senior security appointments.
- Coalition leaders plan legislation to curb the attorney-general’s powers, while opposition parties call for statutory criteria governing Mossad appointments.
- The dispute highlights tension between executive authority, judicial oversight, and the demand for an impeccable record in Israel’s most secretive intelligence agency.
