[56596] Sharp confrontation between the PM and the Mossad chief against the backdrop of Gofman's appointment as a senior official in the organization

Security leadership tension: Confrontation between Netanyahu and Barnea over the Gofman appointment

An unprecedented storm has been exposed in the political-security echelon, following the action of Mossad chief David Barnea, who sent a letter opposing the appointment of Gofman directly to the High Court of Justice judges without being requested to do so. As reported by Avishai Grinzaig, this is an exceptional incident in which the Mossad chief chose to present a new position in court after he had already appeared before the Advisory Committee for Senior Appointments.

In a tense conversation exposed by Grinzaig and also reported in War Room, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at Barnea: "How are you acting behind my back and cooperating with the Attorney General with a letter to the High Court, when you know she is not representing the government in this petition?". Amit Segal and Channel 12 News reporters added that Netanyahu defined the action as "undermining authority," since Barnea is subordinate to the Prime Minister.

The Mossad chief, for his part, replied that he had reached out to the Attorney General on his own accord to submit his supplementary arguments to the judges. According to Avishai Grinzaig, this constitutes a disruption of proper procedure, since the information Barnea presented in the letter had not been previously presented to the Senior Appointments Committee. Amir Ettinger and Yuval Segev note that the step was taken even though Barnea had already appeared before the committee and expressed his position.

The proceedings in the High Court have now turned into a battleground of letters, as in response to Barnea's move, the Prime Minister was forced to present a letter from the Northern Command chief to refute the Mossad chief's claims. The affair highlights the deep lack of trust between the political echelon and senior security establishment officials regarding sensitive appointments during this period.