Roman Gofman

Roman Gofman was born in 1976 in Mazyr

Gofman was born in 1976 in Mazyr, in the Byelorussian SSR of the Soviet Union. His mother was a teacher and his father a doctor. In 1990 the family immigrated to Israel and settled in Ashdod, where he attended the ORT Ashdod Nautical Officers School and took up boxing after facing violence from other youths.

He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Ashkelon Academic College and a master's degree in political science and national security from the University of Haifa. He also attended the Bnei David Mechina in Eli.

He joined the Armored Corps in 1995 and rose from tank platoon commander to commander of the Etzion Brigade, the 7th Armored Brigade and the Bashan Division. As division commander he approved the use of a minor, Ori Almakayes, in an online influence operation, and he later received a command reprimand. On 7 October 2023 he fought Hamas militants at Sha'ar HaNegev junction and was seriously wounded.

In May 2024 he became Military Secretary to the Prime Minister and was promoted to Aluf. He took part in Israel-Russia contacts and in a covert initiative to manage humanitarian aid to Gaza. In 2026 he succeeded David Barnea as Director of the Mossad. He lives in Ashdod, is married and has 3 daughters.