Netanyahu backs Gofman as new Mossad chief, praises military record
Netanyahu praised Roman Gofman as bold and creative after naming him Mossad chief, expressing confidence that he will strengthen Israel’s security.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday endorsed military secretary Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman as next head of Mossad.
Gofman will succeed David Barnea as the country’s top intelligence chief on June 2, after Barnea completes his five-year term.
Netanyahu congratulated Gofman after the official announcement, saying: “He [Gofman] is an exceptional officer – bold and creative – who demonstrated an outside-the-box perspective and impressive ingenuity throughout the war.
He also wished Gofman success in his new role as head of Mossad, expressing confidence that he would make a significant contribution to Israel’s security.
Gofman also received praise from IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who said: “I really think he had a glorious military career, an excellent and worthy person in all respects.
Zamir even added that if Gofman had not taken on the role of Mossad chief, he could have replaced his own post as IDF chief of staff.
“Gofman’s appointment is ridiculous”
Barnea, on the other hand, strongly opposed Gofman’s nomination and said of the announcement that Gofman is “someone who abuses his power.”
Ori Elmakayes, who has had a long-running public feud with Gofman, said: “The decision of the Senior Appointments Committee to approve the appointment of Roman Gofman is ridiculous. »
He added: “The appointment of Roman Gofman poses a real danger to the Mossad and to the security of the State of Israel. I will not stop there and will fight to disqualify Gofman’s nomination. »
Elmakayes was arrested by the Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency) when he was 17 after two intelligence agents under Gofman’s command passed him classified information to post on Telegram pages he ran as part of an attempt to create an “influence operation” against the enemy that had not been approved by authorized security agencies.
Following the incident, Elmakayes claimed that Gofman had “abandoned” him as a result of this operation, and reflected on the incident in his reaction to Gofman’s appointment, saying: “Anyone who abandoned a 17-year-old boy will also abandon Mossad agents.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this story.
