[56262] Legal storm: Attorney General demands cancellation of Roman Gofman's appointment as Head of Mossad

The struggle over the appointment of the Mossad head and the regulation of the civil service

A legal and political drama is developing around the appointment of Major General Roman Gofman to the position of Head of the Mossad. The Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, notified the High Court of Justice that she believes the appointment should be canceled. According to her words as quoted in 'Or-ly Barlev - Democracy News', Baharav-Miara claims that the appointment process contained "fundamental flaws" in the factual basis and integrity, noting that the affair involving the handling of the minor Uri Almakes "casts a heavy shadow" over Gofman's suitability for the position.

The response from the government was sharp. Netanyahu's lawyers, as published on Eli Tsipori's channel, attacked the Attorney General's conduct and called it "inconceivable in its severity," while calling on the court to order a hearing in her absence. At the same time, government ministers defended the appointment; Minister Ze'ev Elkin, in a post uploaded by Ariel Kahana, defined the Attorney General's position as a "scandal" and argued that she has no authority to decide on security issues, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (via the 'Political Arena' channel) declared that the move strengthens the government's determination to split the Attorney General's roles in the upcoming summer session.

In the background, Michael Shemesh and Yinon Magal (YINONEWS) point to political irony: while the Attorney General opposes the Appointments Law promoted by Minister Yariv Levin, claiming it harms the "statist nature of the civil service," the government is approving bills that will allow it direct control over a range of senior positions, including Chief of Staff, Police Commissioner, and Head of the Mossad.

In another arena, tension was reported regarding the expected release of Saif Abu Kishk and Thiago Avila, two flotilla activists arrested by Israel. The 'Abu Ali Express' channel criticized the decision sharply, arguing that it constitutes "zero deterrence" and that the activists are expected to plan further flotillas in the future, contrary to the narrative of flotilla organizations that present the release as a victory for solidarity with Palestine.