Israeli pilots' compunction

The pilots' stand should eliminate the illusion that the Israeli government may still have about the legitimacy of the military mission against the people of Palestine, subjugated yet yearning to breathe free.

The global community has been raising its voice against massacring of civilians by Sharon's raiders. But the hawkish prime minister has never bothered to heed the international opinion and is still trying to bludgeon Palestinians into submission, though his efforts have only been rewarded with more deaths and destruction. Israel's disproportionate application of force -- use of helicopter gunships and all sorts of lethal weapons against stone-throwing Palestinian youths -- has been condemned by peace-loving people across the world. But Tel Aviv has been trying to prove the historical truth that Palestinians have the right to have a homeland of their own wrong through repressive measures. But how long can it hoodwink public opinion on the atrocities?

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

Sharon has received a different message this time around. Some of his own people are now questioning the moral validity of Israel's plan. He should go for a little introspection and ask himself why Israelis themselves are finding the mission unacceptable. The reserve pilots have acted out of the compunction caused by the crimes perpetrated by Israel against innocent Palestinians.

The Israeli government has received some other signals too. Former prime minister Shimon Peres praised Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat as a harbinger of peace. His words came at a time when Tel Aviv was planning to liquidate Arafat, in the mistaken belief that his exit would weaken the resistance movement. Peres, known as a moderate, has tried to draw the attention of the hardliners in his country to the truth that blood-letting is not the solution to the Middle East crisis. Sharon and his men should see his point before the truth starts ringing louder.

The only option open to Tel Aviv is to stop killing innocent civilians and accept the finality of the statehood of Palestine.