Shake-Up at the Mossad: Director Dismisses His Deputy

Mossad Director Roman Gofman informed the agency’s deputy director, A., yesterday (Friday) that his tenure in the role will be ending. The decision comes shortly after Gofman took office, and the Mossad said the move reflects the new director’s desire to build the senior leadership team that will accompany him in the coming years.

A. is considered one of the organization’s most senior and experienced figures. He was the candidate of outgoing Mossad chief David Barnea to succeed him as director, but in the end Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chose to appoint Gofman, who had previously served as his military secretary. The appointment sparked controversy at the top of the organization, in part because Barnea opposed the move and supported A.’s promotion.

In an official statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office on behalf of the Mossad, it was said that Gofman intends to appoint a new deputy from within the organization. It was also noted that "the move is being made as part of the Mossad director’s entry into the role, as he seeks to shape the senior leadership team that will accompany him in carrying out the goals and challenges facing the organization in the coming years."

The Mossad emphasized A.’s long-standing contribution to the country’s security: "The Mossad director asked to express his deep appreciation to A. for 22 years of operational service in the Mossad and for his significant contribution to the security of the State of Israel." It was also noted that during his service, A. operated "at the forefront of the organization’s operational activity in three operational divisions, commanded two of them, and led a series of groundbreaking operations."

According to the Mossad statement, A.’s achievements over the years earned him five Israel Security Prizes, and he is considered one of the central figures in the organization’s operational activity over the years.

The Prime Minister’s Office statement also said that despite the end of his tenure as deputy director of the Mossad, A. expressed support for Gofman’s success in his new position: "A. wished the Mossad director great success in the role and made clear that he will continue to place his experience and capabilities at the service of the Mossad and the State of Israel whenever required."