Mossad Chief Gopman Barred from Handling Security Opinion in 'Ketergate' Case

Last month, it was revealed that the security opinion determining whether to prosecute Prime Minister Netanyahu's aides Jonathan Urich, Eli Feldstein, and Shrulik Einhorn belongs to the Mossad. On Thursday evening, legal sources stated that Mossad Chief Roman Gopman is disqualified from involvement due to a conflict of interest, as he was Netanyahu's military secretary and is closely connected to the suspects. The Attorney General's Office and the Prime Minister's Office are currently reviewing whether Gopman can sign the opinion. Meanwhile, prosecutors and the organization are considering who will replace him to lead the opinion's drafting and decide on this sensitive matter.

A week before the opinion's disclosure, reports highlighted a major contradiction between Netanyahu and his close adviser Urich regarding the "Ketergate" affair and the leak of classified documents to the German newspaper Bild. The dispute centers on who gave instructions and whether Feldstein acted with Netanyahu's knowledge. Netanyahu sought to distance himself from Feldstein, claiming no direct working relationship and dismissing Feldstein's role as insignificant. Conversely, Urich testified that spokespersons worked directly under Netanyahu, with all statements requiring his approval, implying Netanyahu's active involvement.

Two weeks earlier, prosecutors filed an indictment against Urich for leaking classified documents to Bild. The indictment against Feldstein and reservist Ari Rosenfeld for stealing sensitive information from military intelligence was amended to include Urich. Urich faces charges of intentionally harming state security by disclosing secret information, possession of secret information, and evidence destruction.