Brother of Man Who Set Self Alight Blames Army
The brother of a 45-year-old disabled IDF veteran who set himself on fire on Sunday, told Haaretz he was not surprised by the act, and that his brother’s situation had deteriorated since he had a serious stroke two years ago.
The man reportedly brought a canister of gasoline to a bus stop in Yehud and set himself alight, when passers-by saw what was happening and put out the fire. The man sustained burns over 80 percent of his body. Rescue services arrived at the scene, and evacuated the man to Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer.
“The debts aren’t the crux of the matter,” he said, “but rather the attitude of the Defense Ministry and welfare authorities. He became desperate. Today, unfortunately, he emulated Moshe Silman’s act. He is an IDF veteran, and the army loves you three feet under, but doesn’t love you when you’re wounded. Until you receive what you’re due, if at all, it takes time, and that’s why people do extreme things.”
His brother told Haaretz that the veteran had already attempted suicide in the past, and threatened on various occasions to do try again. Last weekend he told his sister: “Did you see what happened to Silman? That’s what’s going to happen to me too.” His brother added that “these were his exact words. We couldn’t believe it.
For more, go to Haaretz.com
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