The Supreme Court, sitting as the High Court of Justice, today (Monday) rejected two petitions filed against the appointment of Major General Roman Gofman to the position of head of the Mossad.
Tomorrow, a change of command ceremony will be held at Mossad headquarters, in the presence of President Yitzhak Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, when Goffman will replace Barnea in the position.
The petitioners' claims focused on the conduct of Major General Goffman while he served as commander of the Bashan Division in 2022, as part of an operation in which blogger Uri Almakiis was involved while he was a minor.
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Attorney Gali Baharav Miyara, who fought against Goffman's appointment time and time again, and suffered a crushing blow - responded to the ruling: "The legal counsel to the government examined the decision of the President, Mr. Grunis, regarding the appointment and the evidence in the case in a professional manner and formulated a position that reflects his professional truth based on the factual foundation.".
""Our position was rejected by the court, and it may be noted that we respect the court's ruling.
""The Legal Counsel to the Government and the Legal Advisor to the Government will personally assist as much as necessary and possible to Major General Goffman in carrying out his important role as head of the Mossad.".
"The Legal Advisor to the Prime Minister and the entire Legal Advisory Council wish General Goffman great success in his position.".
Outgoing Mossad head Dedi Barnea, who was rejected by the judges when he submitted a document on his behalf to the court against Goffman, issued a statement to Mossad employees: "I expect all of you to stand by Major General Goffman's right hand, and to continue to assist him in assuming his position in the best possible way. We face complex challenges that are at the core of the security of the State of Israel, in which the Mossad plays a central and influential role. Major General Goffman's success is the success of the Mossad and the success of the entire State of Israel.""
Judge Ofer Grosskopf, who wrote the main ruling, ruled that the existing evidence shows that the Almakeys affair does not stain Major General Goffman's impressive career with a moral stain.
The ruling noted that the claims that the major general knowingly employed a minor or intentionally misled IDF officials regarding the division's role in the affair were not based on evidence. The judge added that although there were failures in Major General Goffman's conduct, for which he even received disciplinary action from the then-commander of the Northern Command, these failures pertain to the failure to obtain the necessary permits and do not concern matters of moral integrity.
The judges rejected the position of the Legal Advisor to the Prime Minister, Gali Baharav-Miara, who believed that the petitions should be accepted and the appointment canceled, and ruled that there was no basis for judicial intervention in the Prime Minister's decision.
Judge Dafna Barak Erez, who also claims in a paragraph that "there is no basis in the existing material to impeach General Goffman himself," chose to propose delaying Goffman's appointment despite this. Barak Erez proposed in a minority opinion to continue clarifying issues that have not yet been decided by issuing a conditional order and an interim order. With the aim of 'resolving doubts.'.
Goffman's appointment was approved twice by the 'Grunis Committee' - the advisory committee for appointments to senior positions. Since the High Court ordered the committee to reconvene.
The committee held another hearing, heard witnesses, and completed the examination in accordance with the High Court's instructions. The majority of the committee members determined that there was no defect in Goffman's moral integrity and that the additional materials and testimonies substantially strengthened their position supporting Goffman's appointment.
The chairman of the committee, Judge Grunis, remained in the minority and opposed the appointment.
As part of the supplementary procedure, Uri Al-Makiis and Brigadier General G., former head of the operations division at the Intelligence Directorate and currently a senior official in the Mossad, were heard, among others. An affidavit submitted by Brigadier General G. supported Goffman's version regarding a conversation between them regarding the influence operation at the center of the affair.
Gali Baharav-Miara submitted another document to the High Court of Justice in which she claimed that Goffman met Brigadier General G. during overlapping meetings that Goffman held at the Mossad after his appointment was approved by the government and the Grunis Committee. The document also referred to Brigadier General G.'s professional future in the organization, but ultimately did not prevent the completion of the appointment process.
As mentioned, with the High Court rejecting the petitions, Goffman is expected to officially assume his position as head of the Mossad tomorrow, after his appointment was approved by the government.
Member of Knesset Aryeh Deri He responded: "I congratulate the next head of the Mossad, Major General Roman Goffman, on his appointment to the position and wish him great success. Go with your strength. God is with you, hero of the force.".
""The anarchist lawyer suffered a searing historical failure in this case in the High Court. If she had any self-respect, she should have resigned today.".
""For months, it has waged an unrestrained political campaign against Torah scholars in an attempt to divert attention from its failures. But the Torah will claim its insult and it will continue to crumble until its complete downfall.""
The Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir Responded to the ruling: "Congratulations to my friend, Major General Roman Gofman, on his final appointment as head of the Mossad.".
""After all the attempts to delay, the petitions and the noise around, which only proved that the right man had arrived at the right position. Roman is a fighter, commander and true Zionist, who knows Israel's security challenges from the field and in the decision-making rooms.".
"I wish him great success and am sure that he will fulfill his role with dedication, responsibility and determination for the sake of Israel's security. Good luck, Roman.""
Chairman of Religious Zionism, Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich, He responded: "Today everyone understands, this has become a system. The Attorney General is deliberately and illegally thwarting appointments by the right-wing government that she personally dislikes. Even the High Court of Justice does not accept her position, once again. Gali and her gang led a campaign of slander, humiliation and demonization against a decorated IDF general, a hero of Israel who risked his life and was even wounded on October 7th.".
""From day one, I knew that Roman Gofman was worthy of being the head of the Mossad. Working with him, in closed rooms, I encounter special strengths of cunning, audacity, and wisdom. The recent appointments of Zini and Gofman are an expression of new heads of organizations with sharpness of thought and a necessary value perception of victory and decisiveness.""
MK Meir Porush Responded to the verdict: "The criminal and reckless conduct of Attorney Miara against appointment to such a sensitive security position requires her to resign immediately.".
Member of Knesset Moshe Saada He said: "Once again it turns out that Gali Baharav Mayara, who is busy from morning to night trying to harm the government's work and thwart the appointments of right-wing figures, is also a failed and unsuccessful lawyer. He will certainly lead this important organization to new heights.".
Secretary of State, Yossi Fox, wrote: "Rise and be. Blessed be God, head of the Mossad, Roman Gofman! Good luck, dear brother! Thanks to the battery of lawyers who knocked out the consultant - Attorney Harel Arnon, Avi Segal and Ohad Shalem.".
Member of Knesset Boaz Bismuth He responded to the decision: "The victory of good over evil. Roman Gofman is the head of the Mossad." Following his remarks, the MK sent a message of support for the incoming head of the organization to continue his journey and wished him: "For more victories, and this time in just wars, good luck!".
President of the State Isaac Herzog Congratulations: "I congratulate Major General Roman Goffman on his confirmation of his appointment as the next head of the institute. Michal and I remember well the moving meeting with Roman on October 8 at Assaf Harofeh Hospital. He lay seriously wounded, in intensive care, after he had rushed into battle, his body riddled with bullets - but his spirit was determined and courageous.
""This moment well reflected Roman's courage, patriotism and his deep sense of mission - values that also lead the men and women of the Mossad, who work far from the public eye, with extraordinary sophistication and courage, for the security of Israel. I am certain that he will bring his extensive experience and deep commitment to Israel's security to the position, and I wish him and the Mossad great success.".
