Roman Gofman, military secretary to Israel’s prime minister, has been chosen by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to lead the Mossad intelligence agency. He will replace current director David Barnea, whose five-year term ends in June 2026, the prime minister’s office announced.
Gofman’s candidacy has been submitted to the advisory committee on senior appointments.
The general has held numerous operational and command posts in the Israel Defense Forces, from service and command in the Armored Corps to leading the Etzion and 7th Armored Brigades, commanding the 210th “Ha-Bashan” Division, heading the National Ground Forces Training Center, and serving in the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. In recent years he served as the prime minister’s military secretary.
“Major General Roman Gofman is an officer with an extensive service record. His appointment as the prime minister’s military secretary in the midst of the War of Independence proved that he possesses exceptional professional abilities, from his rapid entry into the role to his immediate and significant involvement in seven theaters of military operations. General Hofman maintained constant contact with all security and intelligence services, especially the Mossad.
General Gofman demonstrated creativity, initiative, cunning, deep knowledge of the enemy, absolute discretion and secrecy. These qualities, along with his leadership and courage, were evident at the beginning of the War of Independence, when he rushed from his home and fought Hamas militants in the Gaza border areas, where he was seriously wounded,” the press release said.
Gofman was born in Mazyr, Belarus, in 1976 and moved to Israel in 1990 at the age of 14. He studied at Ort Yami School in Ashdod and later at a military boarding school in Eli.
