This video shows Israeli protesters chanting the suicide note distributed by Moshe Silman, an activist who set himself on fire during a social justice demonstration in protest of Israel’s welfare system on July 14, 2012, the summer following the start of Israel’s massive social justice movement. Silman died of his injuries a week after his self-immolation. He became an icon of the movement, leading to a wide public and political discourse and representing a shift in the tone of the protests. An English translation of his letter is provided below, detailing his anger and frustration regarding the injustices done to him by the State that left him hopeless and on the brink of homelessness.
Moshe Silman’s Suicide Note
“The State of Israel has stolen from me and robbed me, left me with nothing and the Tel Aviv District Court blocked me from getting justice, the registrar at the Tel Aviv District court broke the law, disrupted legal proceedings, out of condescension. It won’t even assist me with my rental fees. Two committees from the Ministry of Housing have rejected me, despite the fact that I have undergone a stroke and was granted 100% work disability. Ask the manager of Amidar, in Hafia, on Hanevi’im Street. I blame the State of Israel. I blame Bibi Netanyahu and [Minister of Finance] Yuval Steinitz, both scum, for the humiliation that disenfranchised citizens go through day in and day out, that take from the poor and give to the rich, and to public servants that serve the State of Israel. The National Health Insurance, especially, the manager of their operations, and the manager of their claims department, on Lincoln Street in Tel Aviv, who illegally seized my work equipment for my truck. The Haifa National Insurance Institute branch, who abused me for a year until I was granted disability. That I pay NIS 2300 per month in Health Insurance taxes and even more for my medicine. I have no money for medicine or rent. I can’t make the money after I have paid my millions in taxes. I did the army, and until age 46, I did reserve duty. I refuse to be homeless, this is why I am protesting. Against all the injustices done to me by the State, me and others like me.”