Executive Summary

Benjamin Netanyahu on 4 December nominated military veteran and former Military Secretary Roman Gofman as the next Mossad director. Gofman will formally assume the position in June 2026. Mossad is one of the most prominent intelligence agencies currently operating on the global stage and, as such, Gofman’s naming prompted widespread criticism, given that he lacks prior intelligence experience. Furthermore, despite the Israeli government’s release of Gofman’s combat footage and subsequent portrayal as a wartime hero, his past record, especially allegations that he used a minor in an information operation in 2022, is well remembered, and not well received.

Gofman’s appointment is highly likely reflective of Netanyahu’s broader pattern of seeking to tighten political influence over Israel’s intelligence institutions. Gofman’s limited intelligence background and history of aggressive decision making, among other factors, make it likely that Mossad’s strategic posture will shift toward more aggressive and risk-acceptant operations at the expense of analytical depth. Additionally, his appointment is also likely to exacerbate internal friction and weaken institutional cohesion.

Profile

Professional path

• 1995: Gofman enlisted in the Armored Corps. An unverifiable source, Ashdod, states he was assigned to the 53rd Battalion of the 188th Brigade. According to Ynet News, this was following his disqualification from the special forces due to his eyesight. [source, source]
• 2000s: Reportedly transferred to the 71st Battalion of the 188th Brigade. Appointed commander of a tank platoon, taking part in fighting in southern Lebanon. [source, source]
• 2000s: Deputy company commander, 71st Battalion of the 188th Brigade. [source, source]
• 2000s: Company commander, 71st Battalion. Led the company in the fighting in the Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria. [source, source]
• 2010: Lieutenant colonel and appointed head of the armor branch at the IFI Fire Training Center. [source]
• 2011: Commander, for the 7th Armored Brigade’s 75th Battalion. [source]
• 2013: Operations officer, “Ga’ash” 36th Division. [source]
• 2015: Commander, Etzion Regional Brigade in the West Bank. [source]
• 2 August 2017: Returned to Armored Corps to head the 7th Armored Brigade. [source, source]
• 2020: Commander, 210th “Bashan” division, overseeing Israel’s frontier with Syria. [source, source]
• 2023: Commander of the National Ground Training Center (MLI) at Tze’elim. [source]
• April 2024: Chief of Staff for Government Activities in the Territories. [source, source]
• May 2024: Promoted to Major General and named Military Secretary to PM Netanyahu. [source]
• December 2025: Announced as next Mossad Director, succeeding David Barnea. [source]

Education

• Studied at Ort Yami School in Ashdon. [source]
• Studied at a military boarding school in Eli. [source]
• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Ashkelon Academic College. [source]
• Masters degree in Political Science and National Security, University of Haifa. [source]

Important relationships/networks 

• IDF Chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir: In a government press release, Netanyahu stated he and Roman had “known each other for many years” and expresses strong support for Gofman.
• Prime Minister Netanyahu: The Prime Minister’s Office referred to Roman Gofman as a “creative commander, initiator, possessing deep knowledge of the enemy, discreet and brave.” Netanyahu stated “He is the most suitable person to lead the Mossad. I wish him great success. His success – our success.” Additionally, a former defence official described him as “deeply loyal” to Netanyahu.  [source, source]
• Sara Netanyahu: Maariv disclosed a lengthy meeting between Roman Gofman and Sara Netanyahu days before the PM announced Gofman’s appointment as Mossad chief. This exposure sparked scrutiny within the Mossad, with Maariv referring to this situation as an observed pattern with Sara. [source]

Religious affiliation

• Gofman does not define himself as religious. However, he spent two years in the Bnei David academy in Eli, a Zionist academy. [source]

Personal 

• Born in Belarus and immigrated to Israel with his parents in 1990. [source]
• Grew up in Ashdod. [source]
• He speaks Russian and Hebrew. [source]
• Gofman is married and has three daughters.[source]
• According to Ynet News, he had openly spoken about the “alienation and violence” he experienced as a student, which drew him into boxing. EJ Press reported that he became No.2 in Israel’s youth boxing championship. [source, source] 

Controversies 

• Appointment to Mossad despite lack of intelligence background
  • Gofman’s background is almost entirely in conventional military command. It has led critics to argue that such inexperience is incompatible with the precision and disciplined,  intelligence-grade judgments required to lead one of the most prominent intelligence agencies in the world. [source, source]
• Politicisation
  • Critics have argued the appointment is politicised, where Gofman was elevated for his closeness to Netanyahu rather than merit. [source, source]
• Using and abandoning a minor in an influence operation
  • One of the most troubling and controversial aspects of Roman Gofman’s record is the allegation that, while commanding the “Bashan” Division, he authorised a covert influence operation that recruited a 17 year old, Oli Elmakayes. The operation passed classified information to the teenager who was instructed to publish it on social media as part of an influence campaign. [source]
  • In May 2022, Ori was arrested by the Shin Bet and detained for two months, and subsequently charged with espionage and leaking confidential material. He remained under detention for 18 months, and endured “physical and mental abuse,” and that his “life was ruined in a single day.” [source]
  • Gofman engaged in a complete disavowal of Ori. According to Ori, Gofman denied any connection to the operation and denied all responsibility for the situation. [source]
  • Ori Elmakayes himself warned of his appointment, stating Gofman is a “danger to Israel’s national security,” and that the incident is not merely a personal tragedy, but an indicator of Gofman’s lack of command integrity. [source]
  • The IDF has released footage showing Roman Gofman in combat operations on October 7th and has been spread widely online, casting him as a hero. However, his past controversies remain, and his victim, Ori, has kept his questions about his judgment and suitability for leadership alive. [source]

• Sara Netanyahu
  • Media reports claimed that Roman Gofman met privately with Sara Netanyahu shortly before his nomination, prompting allegations that the PM’s wife exerted behind-the-scenes influence over his appointment. [source]

• Leadership attributes
  • Gofman’s allies have referred to his “loyalty, wisdom, and aggressive thinking” [source]
  • Some former security officials say he can be impulsive. [source]
  • Other officials who worked closely with Gofman describe him, according to Ynet News, as an aggressive and unconventional thinker “with a knife between his teeth.” [source]