27 Israeli pilots boycott territories

[MORTARDUDE]

27 Israeli pilots boycott territories

Letter: ?We ... refuse to continue harming innocent civilians?




JERUSALEM, Sept. 24 ? Twenty-seven Israeli pilots sent a letter to the Israeli air force commander refusing to carry out duties, which include track-and-kill operations, in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, an Israeli air force officer said Wednesday.

?WE, VETERAN PILOTS and active pilots alike ... are opposed to carrying out illegal and immoral attacks of the type carried out by Israel in the territories,? one of the pilots told Israel?s Channel 2. ?We, who have been educated to love the state of Israel ... refuse to take part in air force attacks in civilian population centers. We ... refuse to continue harming innocent civilians.?
It was unclear how many of the pilots were still active in the air force, but Israeli reserve pilots can be called upon to fly missions.
Air Force Brig. Gen. Ido Nehushtan told Reuters that the 27 pilots were a ?marginal, small group? of retired and reserve pilots.
Israel?s army chief, Moshe Ya?alon, said the pilots, who include senior reserve officers in the air force, could be punished for their ?illegitimate? and ?forbidden? statement.
?If we?ll need to take steps [against them], we?ll take them. ... We have to examine the matter,? he told Channel 2.

Israel has killed 12 Hamas militants in airstrikes in the Gaza Strip since a Hamas suicide bombing killed 23 people in Jerusalem on Aug. 19. Several bystanders have also been killed in targeted missile attacks on leaders of the group.
Israel has an active contingent of conscientious objectors who have refused to serve in Palestinian territories, but the letter marks the first time that pilots have protested in a separate group.
Israeli service members can be jailed for refusing to carry out orders.