After the High Court of justice approved the appointment of Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman as Mossad chief, outgoing director David Barnea issued an unusual public message to the intelligence agency’s employees—calling on them to rally behind his successor, despite having fiercely opposed the appointment and warning of “problems setting personal boundaries.”
A handover ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow in the presence of the president and prime minister.
2+In a message sent to Mossad employees and commanders, Barnea wrote: “I expect all of you to stand by Maj. Gen. Gofman’s side and continue to assist him in entering the role in the best possible way.” He added that “we face complex challenges at the heart of Israel’s security in which the Mossad has a central and influential role. Maj. Gen. Gofman’s success is the Mossad’s success and the success of the entire State of Israel.”
Barnea’s message is considered especially dramatic given the sharp opposition he previously expressed to Gofman’s appointment. During proceedings before the Gronis Committee and the High Court, Barnea submitted a classified letter containing serious allegations against Gofman, claiming he doesn’t meet the ethical standards required for the position of Mossad chief. Among other things, he argued that Gofman has “problems setting personal boundaries” and might “take the law into his own hands” and bypass procedures.
2+Behind the allegations stood the affair involving the recruitment of teenager Ori Elmakayes as an agent in violation of protocols—which according to Barnea pointed to a particularly dangerous pattern of behavior for someone meant to head one of Israel’s most secretive and sensitive organizations. Barnea even warned at the time that the risk could be severe—both for Mossad employees and for national security.
Gofman, for his part, rejected the allegations and told the committee that Barnea’s letter was “largely based on facts that are not facts.” According to him, the publicity surrounding the proceedings caused him personal and international damage, and even distanced intelligence figures around the world from him.
2+Despite the sharp exchanges and public battle over the appointment, the Mossad now appears to want to project internal unity as Gofman enters the role. Tomorrow’s handover ceremony at Mossad headquarters is expected to take place in the presence of President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.