When social justice protestor Moshe Silman poured a flammable liquid over his body and set himself ablaze at the motzei shabbos social justice protest in Tel Aviv, in all likelihood he did not believe his actions would shock the nation – but he did just that. While Silman remains in Tel Hashomer Hospital in critical condition with burns over 94% of his body, politicians, activists and public personalities are speaking of his actions, and more importantly, the events that led to his level of despair.

Silman was a man who once had a home and a job and he simply spiraled until reaching the horrific level of despair that is difficult to describe, losing everything — finally reaching a point of total desperation, one so profound that he felt compelled to do something so outrages and so destructive. Illness led to his losing his job and that was followed by rejection from Bituach Leumi, rising debt, the loss of his home, and the state’s refusal to assist him in any significant way.

His act sparked social justice protests in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beersheva on Sunday, 25 Tammuz 5772, and while these protests were small in numbers, they received media coverage, assisted by the fact arrests were made in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

The public shock and outrage compelled the prime minister and other cabinet ministers to comment on Silman’s act, and the seriousness of the situation in Israel in which 10% of the nation holds 90% of the wealth. Social justice protestors vow to continue their battle, sending messages to the media that they will not be deterred and the issues at hand are not just another passing phase of events in Israel, but they will continue until the nation’s leaders get the message and implement the required changes.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)