"When I saw the letter, I knew there wasn't any other choice. It was something I would have to sign", explains 26 year old Alon. His decision to sign a letter calling on pilots to take responsibility for their assignments caused an outcry in Israel. It cost him his job and most of his friends. But Alon remains unrepentant. "We are on the verge of an abyss. We are becoming blunt and we are becoming blind."

His concerns are shared by distinguished pilot Yigal Shochat. "I support the state of Israel and its defence. We need an army. But taking the occupation for granted worries me." Shochat was the first ex-pilot to formally question the actions of the IDF. "If orders are immoral, pilots should refuse. But they do not really question. They are eager to go on the next mission - to kill someone in Nablus or launch a missile on Rammallah."

This image of trigger-happy pilots, operating in a bubble, is difficult to reconcile with the modest, inconspicuous men of the Cobra unit. Squadron commander, Ronni, also works as a paediatrician treating Palestinian children. "I really sympathise with the Palestinians and know exactly what they are going through." His colleague, Yoav, is haunted by Palestinian suffering. "When I'm at home, I think about those people. I feel very, very sorry for them."

But the reality is these pilots carry out mission after mission against the very Palestinians they pity so much. They have two basic assignments: targeted liquidations and providing support for troops on the ground. "Situations are dynamic, they change and we have to adjust" explains Ronni. Things are much more complex for the fighters than ever before.

Normally, just the sight of a low flying Cobra is enough to scare the living daylights out of Palestinians. But, if necessary, the pilot will also fire a few rounds, aiming to miss. "Terrify, but not hurt", explains Roni. Sometimes things go horribly wrong. In July 2002, a 1,000 kg bomb was dropped on a flat in Gaza. It killed the designated target, Hamas leader Salah Shedada. But it also killed 12 innocent Palestinians, who happened to be passing by. Incidents like this happen all the time.

Even Ronni, who is proud to serve his country, admits to having second thoughts about some of his orders. "I can't even count the situations in which I was called upon to fire and didn't. They are numerous." It's always a difficult decision to press the trigger. He knows, inevitably, there will be innocent victims.

For many Israelis, the actions of pilots like Yigal and Alon who publicly question the IDF is virtually treason. "Knowing the history of this country, we do not have to apologise for fighting and defending our people", states one IDF officer. But for Alon, it is because of his people's history that it is so important to take a stand. "As a child learning about the persecution of the Jews, you ask yourself 'How is it that no-one said 'no'? This is what I'm saying now."