In a society as militarized as Israel, Air Force pilots are among the most revered heroes. Alongside the special forces and external intelligence, they comprise the country's military elite, a group of individuals whose opinions still carry weight, even after retiring as reservists. In March 2023, when Israeli society mobilized en masse to demand an end to a controversial judicial overhaul, the position adopted by several hundred of these pilots was a pivotal moment in the confrontation with Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

Two years later, the country is still at war following the terrorist attack carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023. With a general strike looming on Sunday, August 17, aimed at ending the conflict, and with the same government having decided to fully occupy Gaza, can these veterans help mobilize the public?

On August 12, nearly 500 officers, many of whom are retirees and a few reservists, gathered in front of the army headquarters in Tel Aviv in a symbolic gesture. "Don't sacrifice our sons in Gaza when the objective is neither Israel's security nor the return of the hostages," said Guy Poran, a 69-year-old former Air Force pilot. "Claiming that it is necessary to occupy all of Gaza and eliminate the last elements of Hamas to prevent another October 7 is nothing but a demagogic falsehood," said the retired soldier, one of the leaders of a forum that brings together 1,500 Israeli soldiers.

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