Scathing criticism was leveled at Haaretz columnist Gideon Levy Monday over a controversial opinion piece he wrote denouncing Israeli Air Force pilots taking part in Operation Protective Edge. The piece, titled "Lowest deeds from loftiest heights," disregards the extensive efforts made by the Israel Defense Forces to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza Strip, as well as Hamas' repeated use of Gazans as human shields. "They are the most articulate, polished, brilliant and educated of soldiers.
They are the very finest of Israeli youth, destined for greatness. They really are the very best
and they are now perpetrating the worst, the cruelest, the most despicable deeds," Levy wrote of the pilots. Among Levy's many critics was Israeli Air Force Col. (ret.) Yitzhak Amitai, who served as head of the corps' manpower directorate. "This extraordinary group of people, who contributes greatly to Israel's security -- including Mr. Levy's own security -- proves that his attempts to justify his assertions have failed." Amitai noted that in the past, Levy had advocated what has become known as the 2003 "pilots' letter," in which a group of IAF fighter pilots said they would refuse to follow orders entailing the targeted assassination of terrorists. "Many of those who signed the letter later recanted, and many others maintained they had no idea someone had signed their name to the letter," he said. Publicist Ran Rahav criticized Levy, saying, "IAF pilots are the salt of the earth. They are the best of the best and they are the reason we can afford to avoid a ground incursion in Gaza and avoid dealing with 300 of our soldiers coming back in coffins." Levy was interviewed by Channel 2 following the public stir his piece had evoked, but the segment -- airing live from a street corner in the southern city of Ashkelon, which has come under heavy rocket fire over the past week -- was cut short after a passerby confronted Levy and obstructed the broadcast. "You're a traitor!" the man yelled at Levy. "You're one to talk. You call our pilots murderers? Have you no shame? You should be the one to live with Hamas. We have the most ethical fighter pilots. You think children should spend the summer holiday in a bomb shelter? Shame on you!" Channel 2 later revealed that numerous calls from infuriated viewers during and after Levy's interview caused its switchboard to crash. The office of businessman Leonid Nevzlin, who holds 20 percent of Haaretz's shares, said in a statement that "Mr. Nevzlin does not interfere with the content run by Haaretz, regardless of whether he agrees with it or not." Haaretz publisher Amos Schocken was unavailable for comment.
