Advisory Panel OKs Roman Gofman to Lead Mossad, Start Date Set for June 2, 2026

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced this evening (Sunday) that the Advisory Committee on Senior Appointments, chaired by Supreme Court President (ret.) Asher Grunis, approved Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman's candidacy for head of the Mossad this evening.

The prime minister signed Gofman's letter of appointment; he will assume the post on June 2, 2026, for a five-year term.

Several media outlets reported that Gofman's appointment was approved by a majority of three committee members, with the committee chair, Justice (ret.) Grunis, opposed. According to the reports, the reason for Grunis's opposition is his reservations in light of the case involving Ori Elmakias's deployment for an influence operation when he was 17. Elmakias was arrested and indicted on serious security and espionage offenses, and his attorneys succeeded in proving that the person who handled him was Gofman.

A petition at the time claimed that Gofman tried to distance himself from running the teenager, which cast a heavy shadow over his conduct. Elmakias himself asked to appear before the committee and requested that it disqualify Gofman's appointment, arguing that he is not fit to lead the intelligence agency.

Ynet reported that Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara submitted an opinion to the committee and noted "a legal difficulty regarding Gofman's appointment". The opinion was submitted at the request of Justice (ret.) Grunis. The prevailing assessment, according to the reports, is that petitions to the High Court of Justice will be filed against the approval of the appointment.