Part of the letter published this morning in Israel. Photo: Israel's Channel 2.

This morning, the Israeli newspaper Maariv published a letter allegedly written and signed by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, urging military personnel, including fighter pilots, to disobey the orders of their government on matters of national security.

However, according to a Colonel in the Israeli army, a group of IDF reservists, called “consensus”, was behind the publication of the letter.  Shai Aviv, a Lieutenant in the IDF told Israel’s Channel 2 news that the letter borders on anarchy, and claiming that IDF soldiers should refuse orders is unacceptable.

“Fighters and pilots,” the letter reads, “…Democracy requires you to go with your conscience and to respect the decisions of the government. Netanyahu’s government does not have a democratic mandate and has no right to make decisions, and you need to show courage and not break. It is your duty to refuse an elected government that has no legal mandate. You are obligated to place a red line for the sake of peace.”

To view the letter in question, scroll down.

Letter published this morning in Israel. Photo: Israel's Channel 2.