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Disabled IDF veteran sets himself on fire
Raanan Ben-Zur
Published: 22.07.12, 13:14
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46 Talkbacks for this article
1. Copycat......
Raoul ,   France   (07.22.12)
I thought statistics claim that we are more intelligent than all other nations........
2. No hope under the right wing goverment
Gadi ,   Haifa   (07.22.12)
A goverment that puts all the money in the illegal settlements and supporting the harideem.
3. This is Jewish?
Tzedek ,   RBS, Israel   (07.22.12)
I was not raised very religious, but even I know that Jews aren't supposed to do things like this. Some non-religious in Israel are seriously out of touch with their heritage. Let's be honest, we don't read about poor religious people lighting themselves on fire.
4. Something is wrong in Israel (very)
Brittany ,   Ireland   (07.22.12)
This is becoming a trend, fire hurts severely, the initial and agonizing pain, I feel that sh-t here where I am. The Jewish spring isn't moving fast enough but these poor souls, they are trying,,,,, helping to change the greedy evil elitist mindset of the rich and the have nots compounded hypocracy and fantasy of the Ultra-Orthodox, a nation that is supposed to be founded on Godly principles.
5. Some people suffer like hell in this country and all........
Time for awareness ,   in Israel   (07.22.12)
politicians can think about is how fast they can get their new BMW's. Enough!!!
6. #1 Clearly you are not ;
Norbus ,   Jerusalem   (07.22.12)
or is that because you are French?
7. #2 don't be an idiot
Adam ,   Yeruka   (07.22.12)
This has absolutely nothing to do with a right wing government! Your halos will choke you all. You can thank Moshe Silman for starting Israel's hottest new trend. Pathetic!
8. #2 What are you smoking?
Eyal ,   Israel   (07.22.12)
9. This is getting serious for
Ivor Evenbiggergun   (07.22.12)
Netanyahu. One self immolation can be sold to the mass of decent normal Israelis as an abberation, two means those Israelis will now start having a look around them. See the disparity of what the state does for them compared to the Haredi and the Settlers, and ask questions. Meanwhile the government agrees to send their children to the front whilst Haredi kids can go read a book for the rest of their lives, and be paid for it.
10.  Disabled man sets himself on fire
Adam ,   London   (07.22.12)
Number Two ! The symptoms of a Country that is obsessed with greed and getting one over on the next, your greedy, procrastinating, delaying, government is rotten from the top right through to the civil servants. Israel you are becoming sick, get well soon.
11. Moshe Silman's legacy
Ephraim ,   Jerusalem   (07.22.12)
Not only was this guy a nut job who committed a huge sin by killing himself, he now has as his legacy destroying other families and other lives with his example. How proud his family must be. The father of the "suicide by fire" movement.
12. Greedy capitalism!
Miron ,   Italy&Israel   (07.22.12)
Israel of today is different than the one we grew-up with.High rents,high real- estate prices,high inflation.Govt. over- spending on our backs and sacrifices. The middle class is getting ruined,the poors get suicidal . Shame on you Bibi,Steinitz and also Stanley Fischer!
13. #11 Ephraim
Ivor Evenbiggergun   (07.22.12)
Worried that your easy life is over? and like the vast majority of normal decent Israelis you are going to have to get a job, send your children to war? Rather than getting paid to read a book, which you can do at the weekend, like many people do. Why not look at the real issues which is leaving people so desperate they are prepared to burn themselves to death
14. nationalism
roger ,   zurich switzerland   (07.22.12)
For a country that is so nationalistic and infatuated with its armed forces, the neglect of this disabled veteran is appalling and disgraceful. There is something rotten in Israel.
15. A new trend!!
Ros ,   Tel Aviv   (07.22.12)
It takes more courage to stay alive than to take one's life - and like this!! " ....I am sorry to say this, but he and Moshe Stillman are disgracing the memory of our six milliion brothers and sisters who were murdered.
16. The new Israel
jerry diamond ,   Highland Beach Fl   (07.22.12)
Well I'm sure that the richest 10% of the country dont give a damn except per say they have lost a customer! The politicians dont care either because Bibi just bought them all brand new BMW's to drive. The middle class are in a struggle to stay middle class in Israel and the poor well all they have to look forward to is suicide. Welcome to the new Israel today.
17. Another for the country's useless system to chalk up
Israel   (07.22.12)
How many more? We are in a dire situation here - it's impossible to live unless you are very very wealthy - I really hope that people will be strong and not do things like this. It's very sad.
18. Sanity
ky   (07.22.12)
To put this act into some sort of sane perspective there is nothing that is worth setting yourself alight for, The balance of this persons mind must have been disturbed or influenced by insane acts of others. Even if bureaucracy did blight his life what is the point of destroying yourself? as it will soon be forgotten and things will carry on much the same. People who contemplate such acts must be made to realize it will change nothing and only horrify and appall .. Only the united cohesive protests of thousands based upon sane argument will bring change .
19. #10
Miguel ,   Cartegena, Columbia   (07.22.12)
That was harsh.
20. #11
Rhonda ,   Chicago, USA   (07.22.12)
I'm not the most religious person but even I recognize Loshon Hora. Mr. Silwan was desperate and he acted desperately. Show some kindness towards a deceased fellow human being.
21. Let them burn
Baruch Shimpshon   (07.22.12)
If you are so pathetic as to burn yourself alive, then you don't desrve to live.
22. #3 Since when do the Haredim suffer from war injuries?
Commentator   (07.22.12)
Maybe that's because Haredim don't serve in the army and therefore don't get permanent injuries like some actual veterans of wars do? Try putting yourself in his shoes, being disabled, probably lacking a limb or two, and then tell me how fun your life is... You're such an arrogant close-minded prick. It's because of people like you that I have lost any sympathy left that I still had for the Haredim. And besides, what heritage got to do with anything here? Why do you people have to push your political/religious agenda into everything? Pay some respect to the poor guy for God's sake.
23. #2, I undestand, this man tried to make political statement
leo ,   usa   (07.22.12)
and you are just trying to freeload on that. Do you know what, you will earn neither my respect nor my ear unless you will repeat what that man did.
24. It's a shame that Israel has suffered more as a people
Richard ,   Atlanta USA   (07.22.12)
but setting one self on fire is a pathology of the individual not society. Although, I understand how one could feel that helpless there are better methods of protest.
25. #11 DISGUSTING
Commentator   (07.22.12)
At least this guy served in the IDF unlike you, risked his life and got injured for the rest of his life so Haredi parasites such as yourself can live in safety. And what exactly are you doing to save other families? Milking the welfare system by breeding like rabbits? Because the poor hard-working families pay taxes to sustain parasites like you? Have you no shame? You're more of a sinner than this guy will ever be.
26. #2 is correct
Alon ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (07.22.12)
Moshe Silman, who served in the IDF twice and did his reserve duty until age 47, gets thrown out into the streets and told to sleep on a park bench over absurd debts. This man, who gave limb and nearly life in the army, and has spent the rest of his existence wheelchair bound because of it, commits suicide out of desperation due to the debts the government wanted from him. And all the while Haredim, who refuse to enlist even once and actively oppose the very army that defends them, get paid full welfare equivalent to a decent salary by the government. Only in Israel, only due to to Bibi and his despicable rightist government.
27. Where are haredim?
Keren ,   IL-BR   (07.22.12)
It is here ,among dispaired people,that they shoul be ,practicing Torah. If they would be gathering this sad,dispaired people,teaching them Torah,discussing with them Torah, listening to their souls ,interacting with them,perhaps such tragedies would not happen. Instead of being in the Knesset to get garanties that their stipends are more and more big and solid,haredim should be there fighting for the spiritual well being of Israel. That´s the only reason people put them in power and if not for that,they shouldn´t be there.
28. An epidemic
Raptor   (07.22.12)
is under way. Radical problems call for radical solutions. Change of government, change of system.
29. to #26 so you made martyr out of him
ghostq   (07.22.12)
that is nice you got pali morals. silman had 6000 cellphone debt, you really think anyone can get that much of a debt. as for Bibi, Tal law wasn't legislated by bibi term, it is actually your fault to allow legislate such law in the first place, you can blame right wing gov, but we know it didn't begun 4 years ago.
30. to #25 how do you know he is religious?
ghostq   (07.22.12)
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