High Court rules Roman Gofman to be named Mossad chief

High Court justices decided to accept the findings of the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee, which reaffirmed Gofman's appointment after hearing Ori Elmakayes' testimony.

The High Court of Justice ruled Monday to reject the petitions against the appointment of Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman as head of the Mossad.

The decision was reached by a majority of two justices, Justice Ofer Grosskopf and Justice Alex Stein, against the position of Justice Daphne Barak-Erez, who wrote in a minority opinion that the appointment should be disqualified.

The ruling follows the reaffirmation of the decision by the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee, which found no flaw in Gofman's integrity. The decision was approved by a 3-1 majority, with committee chairman and retired Supreme Court President Asher Grunis maintaining his minority position that Gofman had acted in a morally improper manner in the Ori Elmakayes affair.

Roman Gofman, David Barnea and the attorney general. Photo: Oren Ben Hakoon, Yossi Zeliger

A farewell ceremony was held Monday for the current Mossad chief, David Barnea, who is ending his term. Gofman's inauguration ceremony is expected to take place Tuesday, following the removal of the last legal obstacle to his appointment. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is then expected to announce Gofman's replacement as his military secretary.