0 shares
The sister of Itzik Saidyan, an IDF veteran suffering from PTSD who was critically hurt when he set himself alight last month after struggling to receive help from the Defense Ministry, says her brother’s condition is stable but that there still is a risk to his life.
In an interview with Ynet news site, Leah Saidyan also comments on today’s protest over the government’s delay in approving a plan to improve care for wounded vets.
“I feel that he was burned again. I have received appeals from people with post-trauma that includes their threats, that they say they want to do things to themselves. I’m dying of fear. We stop them, talk with them.”
56 shares
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.