Netanyahu taps his military secretary, Roman Gofman, as the next Mossad director

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu taps his Military Secretary Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman as the next Mossad director, Netanyahu’s office announces.

The current chief of the spy agency, David Barnea, will end his five-year term in June 2026. According to Channel 12, Netanyahu’s selection of Gofman means that he passed over the two candidates suggested by Barnea.

The appointment is being submitted to the Advisory Committee for Senior Appointments for review.

Gofman rose through the IDF Armored Corps, becoming a division commander before moving out of combat roles.

“Gofman is a highly distinguished officer,” says Netanyahu’s office in a statement. “His appointment as the prime minister’s military secretary in the midst of the war… proved that he possesses exceptional professional capabilities, from his rapid entry into the role to his immediate and significant involvement in the seven arenas of the war.”

The PMO says that Gofman “maintained continuous coordination with all intelligence and security agencies, especially the Mossad.”

Netanyahu’s office lauds Gofman’s “creativity, initiative, ingenuity, deep knowledge of the enemy, complete discretion, and strict confidentiality.”

“The prime minister believes that Maj. Gen. Gofman is the most qualified and suitable candidate to serve as Mossad director and wishes him great success in this important role,” says the PMO.