Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named Yossi Cohen, currently the head of the National Security Council, as the 12th head of the Mossad on Monday night.
Cohen will take over from outgoing Mossaad head Tamir Pardo, who will be leaving his post after five years.
The announcement put an end to weeks of speculation over who will be named to one of the most important security positions in the counry.
Cohen has served as national Security Council head since August 2013, replacing Yaakov Amidror. During that time he served as a key and trusted interlocutor between Netanyahu and many governments around the world, including Washington.
Prior to heading up the national Security Council, Cohen was a 30-year veteran of the Mossad who rose through the ranks there and held a wide variety of positions, including as director of the department responsible for running Mossad agents around the world.
While serving in the Mossad,he received the prestigious Israel Security Prize, given to Israelis recognized for achievements in improving state security and maintaining its power and qualitative advantage on the battlefield, both technologically and operationally.