Major General Roman Gofman was formally appointed as the new head of Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence agency, on Tuesday, June 2. Gofman, who was born in Belarus and immigrated to Israel as a child, previously served in senior command positions within Israel’s Armored Corps and most recently held the post of military secretary to the prime minister. His appointment was finalized after legal challenges against it were rejected by Israel’s Supreme Court. During the handover ceremony, outgoing Mossad Director David Barnea wished his successor success and stressed the importance of maintaining Israel’s policy of confronting the Islamic Republic of Iran. He said that changing the situation in Iran and ultimately replacing the ruling system was an achievable objective that should remain among Israel’s top strategic priorities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the ceremony, saying that “the foundations of Iran’s regime have been shaken” and that the government would never return to its previous state. With extensive experience commanding armored units and divisions, Gofman has now assumed leadership of the 13th term of the Mossad’s directorship.
