Committee Chairman Stopped the Recording, Then Asked Mossad Chief: "Is [Name Censored] a Mossad Agent?"

A bizarre and potentially explosive incident unfolded during a senior appointments committee hearing in Israel, when the committee chairman asked Mossad chief Roman Gofman whether a prominent international figure is a secret Israeli intelligence agent.

The incident was first revealed Tuesday night by journalist Avishai Grinzaig on i24News, and new details emerged Wednesday that make the episode even more remarkable.

What Happened

According to Grinzaig's report, Justice Asher Grunis, former President of the Supreme Court and current chairman of the committee for senior appointments, turned to Mossad Director Roman Gofman during the hearing and asked: "Can I ask you a question unrelated to the committee?"

Gofman said yes.

Grunis then asked: "I have a feeling that [name of a well-known international figure, which cannot be published under Israeli censorship] is a Mossad agent. Is that correct?"

Gofman was visibly flustered. He did not answer. Those present in the room were described as stunned.

The Recording Was Stopped First

The new detail revealed Wednesday makes the incident significantly more significant: before posing his question, Grunis ordered the recording of the hearing to be stopped. Only then did he ask Gofman about the alleged intelligence figure, suggesting at least some awareness that the question was crossing into sensitive territory.

Grunis Responds - and Points to the Censor

When contacted following Tuesday night's report, Grunis issued a terse response: "I explicitly said I did not want an answer. If you intend to publish, contact the military censor first."

The identity of the international figure Grunis asked about remains subject to Israeli military censorship and has not been disclosed.

The incident raises serious questions about the conduct of a senior judicial figure during a formal appointments proceeding, and about what, exactly, Justice Grunis believes he knows.