David Barnea
Director of Mossad from June 2021 to June 2026
| David Barnea
| |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Israeli |
| Occupation | Intelligence official |
| Known for | Director of Mossad, 1 June 2021 – 2 June 2026 |
| Predecessor | Yossi Cohen |
David Barnea was director of Mossad from 1 June 2021 to 2 June 2026. He succeeded Yossi Cohen and was succeeded by Roman Gofman.[1][2]
Director of Mossad
The Jerusalem Post reported that Barnea “took the reins” from Cohen on 1 June 2021, after a farewell ceremony on 31 May 2021 attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In remarks at the handover Barnea told Cohen: “You leave behind you a strong institution with astounding capabilities, an institution with infrastructure and timeless foundations from which it will continue and grow.” The same report recorded Netanyahu's and Cohen's accounts of operations relating to Iran during Cohen's term; those are their statements, not independently verified descriptions of particular operations.[1]
| Office | Start | End | Predecessor | Successor | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director, Mossad | 1 June 2021 | 2 June 2026 | Yossi Cohen | Roman Gofman | [1][2] |
The Times of Israel reported that Barnea had opposed Gofman's appointment, attended the 2 June 2026 swearing-in, and wished his successor luck. At the June 2026 handover, reporting associated Iran, hostage negotiations and covert operations with the responsibilities of the outgoing director's term; claims about particular covert operations should be distinguished from publicly acknowledged actions.[2]
See also
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Yonah Jeremy Bob, Barnea takes over Mossad; Cohen: Mossad struck deep into Iran’s heart, The Jerusalem Post, 1 June 2021, accessed 11 November 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Nava Freiberg and Emanuel Fabian, Gofman sworn in as Mossad chief; Netanyahu tells him to help bring down Iran regime, The Times of Israel, 2 June 2026, accessed 11 November 2026.