Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been granted the option to hire private legal representation in a High Court case challenging his appointment of Major General Roman Gofman as head of Israel's foreign intelligence agency. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, with preliminary responses due by Friday.

Two petitions have been filed against the appointment, both linked to the Ori Elmakayes affair. Petitioners argue that Gofman's conduct while commanding the 210th Bashan Division, particularly involving the alleged use of a minor in an unauthorized influence operation and the subsequent collapse of the case against him, raises serious concerns about his judgment and integrity.

A second petition also questions the approval process itself, claiming that the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee approved the nomination without full exposure to classified materials, before a dissenting opinion was finalized, and without hearing directly from Elmakayes. Although the court ordered an urgent hearing, it declined to freeze the appointment. Gofman is set to assume the role on June 2 for a five-year term unless the court intervenes.