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Itzik Saidyan

Itzik Saidyan (center) appears at a Knesset House Committee meeting in the Knesset on July 5, 2026. (Noam Moskowitz/Knesset Spokesman's Office)
July 6, 2026, 12:43 am
IDF veteran who self-immolated begs Knesset: Prioritize combat soldiers, not Torah study
Addressing debate on Basic Law to declare Torah study foundational value, Itzik Saidyan says highest priority must be ‘the ones who go into battle… who feel forgotten’
By Stav Levaton and ToI Staff
Former soldiers who are suffering from PTSD speak during a Knesset Finance Committee meeting, August 14, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
September 15, 2025, 7:24 pm
In cry for help, combat vets toss piles of pills at Knesset meeting on suicide
Veterans complain government has not done enough to tackle rising suicide rates among those with post-traumatic stress. Defense Ministry acknowledges ‘significant gaps’
By Sam Sokol
The Defense Ministry is seen along with other buildings in Tel Aviv, August 2016. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
August 12, 2023, 11:28 pm
After two vets die by suicide, Defense Ministry forms new team to probe procedures
Ministry says experts will look into cases of Bar Kalaf and Or Donio, and formulate work plans to improve treatment of veterans suffering mental illness
By Emanuel Fabian
Itzik Saidyan (C) after his release from the rehabilitation center at Sheba Medical Center, in Ramat Gan, April 27, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
April 27, 2023, 4:18 pm
IDF veteran who self-immolated leaves rehab center, returns home after 2 years
Itzik Saidyan says reforms promoted in wake of his protest are stalling, urges government not to forget those with PTSD: ‘I was trapped in a war that can’t be explained in words’
By ToI Staff
Illustrative: A Magen David Adom ambulance is seen on the coast of central Israel. (Magen David Adom)
April 24, 2023, 3:49 pm
IDF veteran tries to set alight Defense Ministry rehab center
Ministry says 38-year-old’s application to be recognized as disabled veteran was denied in 2013; he is taken to hospital in good condition
By Emanuel Fabian
Itzik Saidyan, an IDF veteran who self-immolated himself in protest over the army's treatment of his PTSD case, during an interview with Channel 12. (Channel 12)
July 12, 2022, 11:45 pm
IDF vet who self-immolated last year says he did it to show ‘how much I suffered’
In new documentary, Channel 12 news tracks Itzik Saidyan over 8 months of recovery, in first in-depth look at veteran who prompted a reckoning over care for wounded troops
By ToI Staff
Itzik Saidyan appears at a Sheba Medical Center event on June 19, 2022. (Screenshot)
June 20, 2022, 12:20 am
After year of recovery, IDF vet who self-immolated makes first public appearance
‘I set myself a goal to continue to make the voice of wounded IDF veterans heard,’ Itzik Saidyan says at Sheba Medical Center event, where he has been hospitalized for over a year
By ToI Staff
IDF disabled veteran Itzik Saidyan. (Facebook)
May 3, 2022, 12:19 pm
IDF vet who self-immolated: We remember fallen friends all year, not just on one day
PTSD sufferer Itzik Saidyan, who set himself on fire to protest neglect by authorities, releases audio clip on eve of Memorial Day, thanks public for support
By ToI Staff
First responders work at the site where a man set himself alight outside the Ashdod Municipality on May 1, 2022. (Magen David Adom)
May 1, 2022, 11:52 am
Homeless man sets himself on fire outside Ashdod municipality
Israeli about 50 years of age taken to Assuta Medical Center in serious condition with burns all over his body
By ToI Staff
IDF disabled veteran Itzik Saidyan. (Facebook)
April 26, 2022, 1:08 am
Improvement reported in condition of army vet, a year after self-immolation
Itzik Saidyan, a former soldier with PTSD, set himself on fire to protest alleged neglect by authorities; now moved from burn unit to rehabilitation center
By ToI Staff
IDF veteran Itzik Saidyan, who set himself alight outside a Defense Ministry office on April 12, 2021. (Screenshot/Channel 12)
February 22, 2022, 6:52 am
’Astonishing recovery’: 10 months after self-immolating, IDF vet is again walking
Tormented by PTSD and what he saw as state’s neglect, Itzik Saidyan set himself alight last year, burning 97% of his body; after 30+ surgeries, he’s on the way to recovery
By Nathan Jeffay
IDF disabled veteran Itzik Saidyan. (Facebook)
January 11, 2022, 4:07 pm
In recording, army vet heard speaking for first time since self-immolation
PTSD-afflicted former soldier Itzik Saidyan, who set himself on fire in April to protest alleged neglect by state, issues well-wishes to medical staff on national Doctor’s Day
By ToI Staff
IDF veteran Itzik Saidyan, who set himself alight outside a Defense Ministry office on April 12, 2021. (Screenshot/Channel 12)
December 27, 2021, 10:11 pm
Army vet who self-immolated goes outdoors for first time since hospitalization
Itzik Saidyan leaves hospital treatment room in wheelchair; PTSD-afflicted ex-soldier set himself on fire in April to protest alleged neglect by state
By ToI Staff
Itzik Chen (Courtesy)
December 6, 2021, 11:33 am
Wounded IDF veteran dies by suicide; family says ministry refused to recognize PTSD
Sister of Itzik Chen, 48, says he was denied the care he needed after he was ‘scarred’ by military service; Defense Ministry says he suffered from other mental health issues
By ToI Staff
Screen capture from video of IDF disabled veteran Itzik Saidyan talking about his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder. (Channel 12 News)
October 13, 2021, 4:32 pm
After improvements, condition of army vet who self-immolated worsens slightly
Doctors rule out visitors for Itzik Saidyan for two weeks while they try to determine what caused his condition to deteriorate
By ToI Staff
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