Defense Ministry vows to improve rehabilitation of PTSD-stricken IDF veterans

The Defense Ministry says it is “praying” for the recovery of IDF veteran Itzik Saidyan, a PTSD sufferer who set himself alight yesterday, and says it will do everything to “learn and fix” the treatment of traumatized soldiers.

“The ministry is obligated to learn the lessons and implement them systematically to significantly improve the treatment of PTSD sufferers,” it says in a statement.

Defense Ministry Director-General Amir Eshel has handed Defense Minister Benny Gantz initial findings of an investigation of the incident, saying it is a “shocking and difficult” incident and vowing to do better to rehabilitate veterans with PTSD.

The ministry has formed a committee that will formulate further findings and conclusions in the coming days. It will also keep handling support for Saidyan and his family.