http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3137392.stm

Rebel Israeli pilots 'grounded'
The head of Israel's air force has grounded a group of fighter pilots who are refusing to carry out air strikes against Palestinians, Israeli media has reported.

Air Force Commander Dan Halutz issued the order against nine of the 27 pilots still on active duty, according to the Haaretz newspaper.

The declaration by the pilots, some of whom regularly carry
out combat missions, has been condemned by Israeli military
leaders.

Israel frequently launches air strikes designed to kill
Palestinian militants in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The Israeli Government describes the operations as "targeted
killings", but Palestinians and human rights groups condemn
them as assassinations - and note that innocent civilians are
often killed as well.

Jail threat

General Halutz told Haaretz the pilots would be dealt with in
the same way as soldiers who have refused to serve in the
West Bank and Gaza - suggesting they will be dismissed from
the military and possibly jailed.

"This method has proven itself," he was quoted as saying.

The pilots have been ordered to retract their joint statement
or be punished.

In their statement, released on Wednesday, the pilots said:
"We, veteran and active pilots... are opposed to carrying out
the illegal and immoral attack orders of the sort that Israel
carries out in the territories."

They added: "We are refusing to continue to attack innocent
civilians."

Israel's Channel 2 television reported that the pilots were also
refusing to fly ground troops into the Palestinian territories to
carry out attacks.

'Severe matter'

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon also warned the pilots
against their action.

"This is a very severe matter, which will be dealt with soon
and appropriately," he was quoted by French news agency
AFP as saying.

One of the rebel pilots told the Yediot Ahronot newspaper
that he felt like he had "come out against his family".

"I was proud to belong to the organisation called the Israel Air
Force, and today I am ashamed," said the pilot, a Blackhawk
helicopter captain named Alon.

"This is an organisation that carries out actions that in my
eyes are immoral and patently illegal."

Hundreds of Israeli reserve soldiers have chosen prison over
military service in the Palestinian territories during the last
three years of Israeli-Palestinian violence.›