Israeli Pilots Deliberately Missing Targets Over Concerns of Civilian Casualties

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Israel is considering a further expansion of its attack on Lebanon amidst a rising death toll and humanitarian crisis and opponents of the war in Israel have become increasingly vocal.

More than 100 demonstrations have taken place across the country since the fighting began last month. Over 5,000 protesters marched In Tel Aviv last Saturday in one of the largest demonstrations in Israel since the attacks began. Protestors called on Israel to negotiate with Hezbollah and encouraged Israeli soldiers to disobey orders in Lebanon.

Meanwhile, The Observer newspaper recently reported that at least two Israeli fighter pilots have deliberately missed bombing targets in Lebanon because they were concerned they were being ordered to bomb civilians. The Observer also reported that a senior commander who has been involved in air attacks in Lebanon has raised concerns that the air force's actions might be considered "war crimes."

Yonatan Shapira joins us on the line from Israel -- he is a former Captain in the Israeli Air Force reserves. In 2003, Yonatan initiated the group of Israeli Air Force pilots who refused to fly attack missions that might risk civilian population in the Palestinian territories. He is also the co-founder of the organization Combatants for Peace. Yonatan's brother refused to serve in Lebanon earlier this week, and was sent to jail.

We also speak with Dan Tamir, an intelligence Officer with the IDF's Reserves and an activist with Yesh Gvul - an Israeli peace group that supports soldiers who refuse military assignments.

• Yonatan Shapira, a former Captain in the Israeli Air Force reserves. In 2003 Yonatan initiated the group of Israeli Air Force pilots who refused to fly attack missions on Palestinian territories. He is also the co-founder of the organization Combatants for Peace.
• Dan Tamir, activist with Yesh Gvul - an Israeli peace group that supports soldiers who refuse military assignments. He is an intelligence Officer with the Israeli Defense Force Reserves.

AMY GOODMAN: Yonatan Shapira is with us, on the line from Israel. He’s a former captain in the Israeli Air Force reserve. In 2003, Yonatan initiated a group of Israeli Air Force pilots who refused to fly attack missions that might risk civilian populations in the Palestinian territories. He’s co-founder of the group Combatants for Peace. Yonatan’s brother refused to serve in Lebanon and earlier this week was sent to jail. We welcome you back to Democracy Now! Yonatan Shapira was in New York in the last few weeks, and we had him on Democracy Now! Welcome, Yonatan.

YONATAN SHAPIRA: Good morning. The line is not so good, but I can hear you.

AMY GOODMAN: What's happened to your brother?

YONATAN SHAPIRA: I can’t hear you now.

AMY GOODMAN: What has happened to your brother?

YONATAN SHAPIRA: The line is not working.

AMY GOODMAN: Can you tell us about your brother?

YONATAN SHAPIRA: Yeah. If you can hear me, my brother just entered to jail yesterday afternoon, after telling his commander -- after asking him why he refused to go to Lebanon, my brother told him that he's doing so for the security of the citizens of Israel. And my brother is also a member of Combatants for Peace, and by now, we have two members of our organization sitting in jail for refusing to participate in this war in Lebanon. On June 5, the total number of refuseniks that are sitting in jail for refusing to go to Lebanon are five, and we have many who are waiting for trials and waiting for being sent to jail.

AMY GOODMAN: We're also joined on the phone by Dan Tamir. He is with the Israeli peace group, Yesh Gvul, a group that supports soldiers who refuse military assignments. He's an intelligence officer with the Israeli Defense Force reserves. We welcome you to Democracy Now! from Jerusalem.

DAN TAMIR: Good morning, New York. Good morning, democracy.

AMY GOODMAN: It is very good to have you with us. You're an intelligence officer with the Israeli Defense Force reserves. Are you going to serve in this war with Lebanon?

DAN TAMIR: Until now, I have not been called personally to take part in this war, and I hope I won't be called personally, but there are many other officers and soldiers who were called to this war and, as Yonatan said before, many have said that they are not going to take part in what they see is an unnecessary bloodshed.