Netanyahu’s wife plays key role in Mossad leadership selection

Following a report by Israel’s Channel 13 television about a lengthy meeting between Ronen Gafman, the new Mossad chief, and Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, prior to Gafman’s official appointment, a political and security storm has erupted in the occupied territories.

The newspaper Maariv reported that this was not the first time Sara Netanyahu has interfered in the appointment of senior security officials. According to the report, Gafman held a long meeting with her before his official appointment as Mossad chief, raising widespread questions within the agency.

The newspaper added that in 2012, a senior military figure named Guy Tzur had been summoned to the prime minister’s office for what was supposed to be an interview, but instead of meeting Netanyahu, he ended up in a lengthy meeting with his wife.

Tzur reportedly said that fundamental questions were raised during that meeting, and afterward he concluded that he would never be appointed as military secretary.

According to the same report, the appointment of Yossi Cohen, the former head of Mossad, was also influenced by his friendship with Netanyahu and his wife, which played a role in his selection for the post.

Former Mossad chief Meir Dagan had also said that Sara Netanyahu once attended a confidential meeting between him and Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu reportedly told Dagan that Sara was a “partner in everything.”

Gafman is the second Mossad chief to be appointed from outside the organization. He is expected to begin his term in June 2026. While the ruling coalition has welcomed the decision, senior officials within Mossad were reportedly taken by surprise by the move.