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IDF veteran Itzik Saidyan, who set himself alight outside a Defense Ministry office on April 12, 2021 (screenshot: Channel 12)
The Defense Ministry on Tuesday pledged to improve its services for disabled army veterans, after an ex-soldier suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder set himself alight outside its rehabilitation center.
Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Eshel said his ministry was responsible for driving Itzik Saidyan, 26, a veteran of the 2014 Operation Protective Edge in Gaza, to desperation.
Saidyan remains in critical condition after the self-immolation on Monday. The IDF Veteran’s Association said that Saidyan was frustrated over his treatment by authorities. He was recognized by the Defense Ministry as having 25 percent disability from his post-traumatic stress disorder, but had requested 50% recognition. The ministry had refused, saying at least a portion of his condition was due to childhood trauma, not his military service.