Monday, July 23, 2012

JERUSALEM (JTA) — A disabled Israeli veteran set himself alight two days after the death of an Israeli protester who set himself on fire during a social justice protest.

The 45-year-old veteran, who used a wheelchair, poured gasoline on himself Sunday at a bus station in Yehud in central Israel. Onlookers doused the flames.

He was taken to a hospital in Tel Aviv with burns on 80 percent of his body, according to reports.

His self-immolation occurred hours before the scheduled funeral of Moshe Silman, who set himself alight a week ago, during a social justice protest, and died on July 20.

Protest leaders, Silman’s family and organizations that help the poor have come out publicly against imitating Silman’s desperate act, but at least six people have threatened to set themselves on fire in recent days.

The disabled veteran reportedly was in severe financial hardship.

See also: http://972mag.com/silmans-flames-should-not-die-with-memorial-candles/51520/