Headlines
Israel Approves Appointment of New Intelligence Agency Chief
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 12, 2026
1 min readLast updated: April 12, 2026
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Quick Summary
Israel has formally approved the appointment of Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman as the next head of Mossad, succeeding David Barnea when his term ends in June 2026. Gofman, currently the prime minister’s military secretary and a decorated combat veteran, will assume the role in June.
Israel Names Roman Gofman as New Head of Mossad Intelligence Agency
Roman Gofman Appointed as Mossad Chief
Official Approval and Announcement
JERUSALEM, April 12 (Reuters) - Israel approved the appointment of Roman Gofman as the new Mossad intelligence agency head, a statement from the Israeli prime minister's office said on Sunday.
Nomination Process and Timeline
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his intention to nominate Gofman in December 2025 and a committee for senior appointments approved the decision on Sunday. Gofman will start his role in June 2026, replacing the agency's current director David Barnea.
Background and Experience
Gofman, 49, is a seasoned military general who rushed to Israel's southern border to rescue Israeli communities under fire from a Hamas-led infiltration on October 7, 2023. The incoming director currently serves as the prime minister's military secretary.
Reporting and Editing Credits
(Reporting by Emily Rose; Editing by Chris Reese)
Key Takeaways
- •Roman Gofman, 49, is a highly experienced IDF general and currently serves as the prime minister’s military secretary, but has no prior Mossad experience (en.wikipedia.org).
- •The appointment, announced by PM Netanyahu in December 2025 and approved in April 2026, designates Gofman to begin leading Mossad in June 2026, replacing David Barnea (israelhayom.com).
- •Gofman’s selection reflects trust and battlefield valor—he was wounded fighting Hamas on October 7, 2023—but has drawn scrutiny over his lack of intelligence background, with some critics warning of potential risks to agency performance (english.news.cn)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Israel approves appointment of new intelligence agency chief
1Who has been appointed as the new Mossad intelligence agency chief?
Roman Gofman has been approved as the new head of the Mossad intelligence agency.
2When will Roman Gofman start his role as Mossad chief?
Roman Gofman will begin his role as Mossad chief in June 2026.
3Who is Roman Gofman replacing as Mossad director?
Roman Gofman will replace David Barnea as the director of Mossad.
4What is Roman Gofman's background?
Roman Gofman is a seasoned military general and currently serves as the Israeli prime minister's military secretary.
