Netanyahu Approves Veteran 'Alef' as Mossad Deputy in Leadership Shake-Up

Overview

• The Prime Minister’s Office said Netanyahu approved Mossad chief David Barnea’s selection of an operative known as “Alef” to serve as deputy director.
• Alef is a more than two-decade insider who served at the core of the agency’s operational spearhead and commanded two operational divisions.
• He replaces “Ayin,” who ran the Mossad’s operational activity for the past two years and was credited with a significant contribution to recent achievements.
• Netanyahu last week named his military secretary, Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman, as the next Mossad director, choosing an outsider over internal candidates reportedly recommended by Barnea.
• Critics see the director pick as tightening political control, while a source close to Netanyahu cited Alef’s promotion as proof of confidence in the Mossad and continuity of its offensive activity.