Mossad Seeks to Rebuild U.S. Trust After Iran Debacle
Controversial former tank commander Roman Gofman cleaning house at the spy agency to help Netanyahu shift blame for Iran failure to underlings.
Since taking office as Mossad chief two months ago at the agency’s headquarters in Glilot, a few miles north of Tel Aviv, the newly appointed and inexperienced director, Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman, has dismissed three of the organization’s senior operatives.
At first glance, this may appear to be an internal Israeli affair. But it could have significant international ramifications, particularly for the Mossad’s relationship with the CIA.
Three weeks ago, Gofman met at CIA headquarters in Langley, Va. with CIA Director John Ratcliffe and the agency’s senior officials responsible for the Near East Division, part of the Directorate of Operations.
According to Israeli sources, the meeting was warm and cordial, despite a language barrier. Gofman, who was born in the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic of the former USSR and immigrated to Israel at the age of 13, does not speak English. He also has limited familiarity with American culture and politics.
