The Actual Statement and An article to be published in the weekend magazine of Yediot Aharonot reports that the most outstanding name among those who signed is that of Yiftah Spector, a Brigadier General in the reserves.
Spector is a mythological pilot in the Air Force, who commanded squadrons and bases, participated in the bombing of the nuclear reactor in Iraq, and was a candidate for corps commander. Young pilots are raised on battle stories about Spector and on books that he himself wrote. He still flies in the Air Force as a trainer in the reserves for the flight school.
From: Gila Svirsky :
Friends,
Here is the best gift imaginable for Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year,which begins this Friday: The refusal to serve of 25 Israeli Air
Forcepilots. To understand why this event will shock Israelis in the morning newspapers, you have to know that Air Force pilots are the
heroes of Israel, epitomizing the best, brightest, and bravest.
Below is my quick translation of the internet article prepared by Yediot Aharonot, Israel's largest circulation newspaper by far. It
gives much more insight than the dry Ha'aretz article. Read it and savor the impact that this will have, undermining support for the
occupation.
This letter is a blessing.
May it catalyze a speedy end to the
occupation,and presage the dawn of reason and, ultimately, peace. In
the Middle East and everywhere.
Shalom / Salaam from Jerusalem,
Gila Svirsky
_______________________________________
Air Force Pilots in Reserves: We Refuse to Attack in the Territories.
Pilots in Reserves and Air Crew sent the following letter today to Air
Force Commander, Dan Halutz:
"We are opposed to carrying out attack orders that are illegal and
immoral of the type the State of Israel has been conducting in the
territories."
Twenty five pilots, former pilots, and air crew sent a petition today
(Wednesday) to General Dan Halutz, Commander of the Air Force, in
which they declared that they will not participate in attack missions
in the territories.
An article to be published in the weekend magazine of Yediot Aharonot
reports that the most outstanding name among those who signed is that
of Yiftah Spector, a Brigadier General in the reserves. Spector is a
mythological pilot in the Air Force, who commanded squadrons and
bases, participated in the bombing of the nuclear reactor in Iraq,
and was a candidate for corps commander. Young pilots are raised on
battle stories about Spector and on books that he himself wrote. He
still flies in the Air Force as a trainer in the reserves for the
flight school.
According to those who signed the letter, "gray refusal" is already
widespread in the Air Force, and includes even pilots in the standing
army. There are dozens of pilots who refuse to participate in
assassinations, but get out of them quietly in private arrangements
with the commander of the squadron.
The weakness of the list of refuseniks, so far at least, is that only
two pilots of attack helicopters signed the letter. Pilots of attack
helicopters are those who carry out almost all the assassinations.
In a response to Channel 10, the Commander of the Air Force
said, "This is not an earthquake in the Air Force, and it's important
to keep this in proportion. This is the first I hear of a letter like
this. We have the most humane and morale army there is. This is
political refusal. I don't understand how one can refuse in advance
to carry out an order that was not yet given. Political refusal is
the mother of all dangers to this nation. Refusal should not be a
part of our language."
The Full Letter
"We, Air Force pilots who were raised on the values of Zionism,
sacrifice, and contributing to the state of Israel, have always
served on the front lines, willing to carry out any mission, whether
small or large, to defend and strengthen the state of Israel.
"We, veteran and active pilots alike, who served and still serve the
state of Israel for long weeks every year, are opposed to carrying
out attack orders that are illegal and immoral of the type the state
of Israel has been conducting in the territories.
"We, who were raised to love the state of Israel and contribute to the
Zionist enterprise, refuse to take part in Air Force attacks on
civilian population centers. We, for whom the Israel Defense Forces
and the Air Force are an inalienable part of ourselves, refuse to
continue to harm innocent civilians.
"These actions are illegal and immoral, and are a direct result of the
ongoing occupation which is corrupting all of Israeli society.
Perpetuation of the occupation is fatally harming the security of the
state of Israel and its moral strength.
"We who serve as active pilots - fighters, leaders, and instructors
of the next generation of pilots -- hereby declare that we shall
continue to serve in the Israel Defense Forces and the Air Force for
every mission in defense of the state of Israel."
Signed: Brigadier General Yiftah Spector, Colonel Yigal Shohat,
Colonel Ran, Lieutenant Colonel Yoel Piterberg, Lieutenant Colonel
David Yisraeli,Lieutenant Colonel Adam Netzer, Lieutenant Colonel
Avner Ra'anan, Lieutenant Colonel Gideon Shaham, Major Haggai Tamir,
Major Amir Massad, Major Gideon Dror, Major David Marcus, Major
Professor Motti Peri, Major Yotam, Major Zeev Reshef, Major Reuven,
Captain Assaf, Captain Tomer, Captain Ron, Captain Yonatan, Captain
Allon, Captain Amnon"
More about the Israeli Refuser Movement at
http://www.NewProfile.org