A secret internal report from the Israel Defense Forces has cast a shadow over the appointment of Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman as the next head of the Mossad, contradicting his repeated claims that he was unaware in real time of the arrest of a teenage agent involved in a sensitive intelligence operation. The revelations, first reported by Haaretz, have ignited a political and legal storm, placing the integrity of Israel’s intelligence leadership under intense scrutiny.
At the center of the controversy is Ori Elmakayes, a 17-year-old who was recruited for an influence operation that involved publishing information online. According to the report prepared by the head of the IDF’s Information Security Department, known as Mahbam, Gofman had authorized the use of the minor in the operation. However, when Elmakayes was arrested and charged with publishing classified information, Gofman later maintained that he had not been informed of the arrest as it happened.
That claim is now being challenged by testimony from Maj. Tzur, the officer who handled Elmakayes directly. In statements cited in the report, Tzur said he updated his superiors in real time after learning of the arrest through media reports in June 2022. Although he was not explicitly told that the detained individual was Elmakayes, he deduced it and passed this information up the chain of command. Tzur, who reported directly to Gofman on matters related to the operation, has since maintained that his superior was aware of key details at the time.
The report indicates that Tzur provided multiple updates about Elmakayes and believed Gofman had “a good idea” of the teenager’s identity. This directly contradicts Gofman’s testimony to investigators and to the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee, where he stated that he only became aware of Elmakayes’ involvement when the case was exposed publicly by Haaretz in January 2024.
The document was compiled months before the advisory committee convened to consider Gofman’s appointment as Mossad chief. It was later shared with two committee members who had the necessary security clearance, including committee chair and former Supreme Court president Asher Grunis. Despite being presented with the findings, Gofman reiterated his position that he had no real-time knowledge of the arrest.
Sources familiar with Tzur’s account have said he stands by his version of events and believes there are significant discrepancies between what occurred and what Gofman told investigators. His legal representative, attorney Aviad Lanchner, stated that the information passed to Elmakayes was not classified, and emphasized that once Tzur understood the situation, he reported it immediately through official channels.
The implications of the report extend beyond a dispute over timelines. A senior IDF official who reviewed the document described its findings as indicative of a “grave failure of command” and a “moral stain.” The official also expressed surprise that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has continued to support Gofman’s candidacy despite the concerns raised. The IDF has not publicly responded to these criticisms.
The controversy has now reached Israel’s High Court of Justice. Elmakayes, along with The Movement for Quality Government, has filed a petition seeking to block Gofman’s appointment. The court has agreed to hear the case, though a date has not yet been set. The petition argues that Gofman’s actions demonstrate flawed judgment and raise serious doubts about his integrity, particularly in his handling of a minor involved in a covert operation.
The petition also highlights procedural concerns surrounding the approval process. According to the filing, only two members of the advisory committee had access to classified materials relevant to the case, resulting in a split opinion. Grunis opposed the appointment, while the other cleared member supported it. The petition argues that in such circumstances, the chair’s dissenting view should carry greater weight, especially given his seniority and experience.
Further criticism has been directed at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who approved Gofman’s appointment shortly after the committee’s decision. The petition suggests that the speed of the approval raises questions about whether dissenting opinions and confidential documents were adequately considered.
For Elmakayes, the consequences of the operation have been severe. He was detained for approximately 18 months after being charged with publishing confidential information on social media. The indictment was eventually dropped in January 2024 after it became clear that he had been acting under the direction of intelligence personnel with Gofman’s approval. His lawyers have described his experience as an “ongoing nightmare” that could have been avoided had those responsible taken accountability.
The case has also drawn attention to broader ethical concerns about the use of minors in intelligence activities. Critics argue that the recruitment and handling of a teenager in such a high-risk operation reflects systemic issues within the chain of command, particularly when accountability appears to be disputed at senior levels.
Despite the mounting controversy, the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee ultimately approved Gofman’s appointment, noting his disciplinary reprimand but not considering it sufficient to disqualify him. However, opposition from key figures, including current Mossad chief David Barnea and committee chair Grunis, underscores the divisions within Israel’s security establishment.
As the High Court prepares to review the petition, the affair continues to reverberate across Israel’s political and military landscape. What began as a covert operation involving a teenager has evolved into a test of transparency, accountability, and leadership at the highest levels of the country’s intelligence community.
