IDF veteran Bar Klaf, who set himself on fire on Tuesday after his request to be recognized as a disabled veteran was rejected, succumbed to his wounds on Thursday.
Klaf, 33, was not recognized by the Defense Ministry as having post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the combat he engaged in during his service.
Klaf’s request was “thoroughly examined by the best psychiatrists at the Defense Ministry, and no connection was found between his mental illness, which was not post-trauma, and his military service,” the Defense Ministry said.
“The Defense Ministry grieves with the Klaf family,” a representative of the Defense Ministry said.
"No Soldier Left Behind" Organization
Klaf’s family was treated by the “No Soldier Left Behind” organization, which specializes in IDF soldiers who have been wounded in combat.
"This is a difficult day, the end of a terrible journey. For a long time, none of us slept at night knowing that we could've helped Bar."
Haim Held
“This is a difficult day, the end of a terrible journey,” said Haim Held, the organization’s CEO. “For a long time, none of us slept at night, knowing that we could’ve helped Bar.
“Now we hope that the members of the system that rejected him will not sleep at night, will correct the mistakes that are inherent in the system, and prevent them next time,” Held said.