Overview
- The Israeli High Court of Justice dismissed petitions challenging Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman’s nomination, removing the last legal barrier to his appointment as Mossad director.
- Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman formally assumed the role as Israel’s 14th Mossad director on Tuesday after the court cleared him to take office.
- The Grunis Committee reviewed Gofman’s nomination twice and approved it despite chairman Asher Grunis remaining in the minority and the Attorney-General urging annulment.
- Opposition to the appointment centers on a 2022 IDF influence operation that led to the arrest of a 17-year-old; critics say documents and testimony raise integrity and oversight concerns about Gofman’s conduct while commanding the IDF unit.
- The handover exposed internal strains: outgoing director David Barnea publicly opposed the pick yet handed over command and urged pressure on Iran, and Israeli media reported at least one senior Mossad official resigned with more departures possible, a development that could affect agency stability and oversight.