Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to appoint Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman as the next director of the Mossad has sent ripples through Israel’s defense and intelligence establishments, marking a dramatic shift in the leadership profile of the renowned intelligence agency.

The announcement, made during a Cabinet meeting on Dec. 8, places a combat-hardened general—who was seriously wounded fighting Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023—at the helm of an organization traditionally, though not exclusively, led by career spies.

Gofman is the classic field commander, who rose through the ranks of the Armored Corps. He commanded the 75th Battalion of the 7th Armored Brigade, the “Etzion” Regional Brigade, the 7th Brigade itself and the 210th “Bashan” Golan Division on the Syrian border,

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