Allied Intelligence — 2026-05-10

Israeli AG Challenges Netanyahu Pick for Mossad Chief Over Unauthorized Operation

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara filed a legal opinion with the High Court on Sunday urging annulment of PM Netanyahu's appointment of IDF Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman as Mossad director, set to take effect June 2. She cited three flaws in the Advisory Committee's April approval: majority members voted before reviewing chairman Asher Grunis's dissent, two members were denied access to classified documents, and Gofman's 2022 recruit, then-minor Ori Elmakayes, was barred from appearing before the committee. Her filing states Gofman approved the unauthorized Arabic-language influence operation and that the affair "casts a heavy shadow" over his integrity. The Times of Israel reported that outgoing Mossad Director David Barnea separately told the court that a Mossad chief must hold an impeccable record and regarded Gofman's handling of Elmakayes as a serious matter.

Analysis
Barnea's confidential submission objecting to Gofman's fitness — corroborated across JNS, Times of Israel, and Haaretz, though reported rather than directly cited — marks the sitting Mossad director breaking with the government on a core security succession decision. The three documented procedural defects give the High Court doctrinal footing to intervene, but the committee majority's May 7 reaffirmation after reviewing all classified materials provides cover to let the appointment stand. The court may instead remand for a remediated review, delaying rather than annulling and preserving judicial standing without direct confrontation over executive security prerogatives. A block before June 2 is unlikely.

4 sources

PM pick for Mossad chief under fire as attorney general tells court to disqualify him - JNS
PM's pick for Mossad chief under fire as attorney general tells court to disqualify him - Jewish News Syndicate (JNS)
AG says High Court should strike down Gofman's appointment as next Mossad director - The Times of Israel
Attorney General Calls to Cancel Netanyahu's Mossad Chief Appointment - Haaretz