Inside the secret battle over Netanyahu’s Mossad appointment

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to appoint Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman, as the next Mossad chief, has ignited a growing battle inside Israel’s legal and security establishment, with critics warning the move could further politicize the country’s top intelligence agencies.

Outgoing Mossad chief David Barnea took the extraordinary step of publicly opposing the appointment, reportedly over concerns tied to a past scandal involving a teenage Israeli operative who was arrested after allegedly being abandoned by military handlers. Critics argue the affair raises serious ethical questions about Gofman’s judgment and leadership.

The controversy comes amid broader accusations that Netanyahu is increasingly placing loyalists in key security positions, following disputes over appointments in the Shin Bet, police, and IDF. Opponents fear the trend could erode the independence of Israel’s defense institutions at a time of ongoing war and national crisis.

Despite the backlash, High Court justices indicated they are unlikely to intervene, signaling that Israeli law gives the prime minister sweeping authority over the appointment of Mossad chiefs.