Netanyahu Slams Attempt to Have Court Block Appointment of New Intelligence Chief, Says He Alone Is Empowered to Decide
Prime Minister Netanyahu strongly criticizes attempts to block Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman's appointment as Mossad chief, asserting his exclusive authority.
Jerusalem, 11 May, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement slamming attempts to question his appointment of Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman to lead the Mossad, Israel’s international intelligence agency, saying that such appointments are solely within the purview if Israel’s Prime Minister.
Netanyahu’s words came after, on Sunday, Israel’s Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara petitioned the country’s High Court of Justice, asking it to nullify Gofman’s appointment due to the fact that, in her opinion, the process of his appointment was flawed.
“The only person who appoints the head of the Mossad is the Prime Minister,” said Netanyahu adding, “The Mossad and the Shin Bet (Israel’s anti-terror General Security Service) are directly subordinate to the Prime Minister by law. The Prime Minister is the one who appoints those who head them. “
Netanyahu went on to say that neither the Attorney General nor the High Court have a say in the matter and called Gofman a “heroic warrior” who is “courageous” and “one of the most respected operational commanders in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces).”
Netanyahu also questioned the reasons for opposing the appointment, asking rhetorically if it is because of political considerations, because Gofman serves as his military secretary, or because he was born in the former Soviet Union?
