Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday characterized as "a personal tragedy" an incident in which a man set himself on fire at a social welfare protest in Tel Aviv the night before.
Haifa resident Moshe Silman, 57, distributed copies of a suicide letter to people around him at the demonstration, before pouring flammable material on his body and setting himself ablaze.
The event took place at a demonstration commemorating the one- year anniversary since social welfare and housing movement activists sparked a series of national protests, including tent cities scattered throughout the country.
Silman is currently hospitalized in critical condition, suffering burns over 94 percent of his body, Tel Hashomer medical center officials said Sunday.
"We are speaking of a great personal tragedy and I wish the victim a full recovery," Netanyahu said at a Likud party faction meeting at the Knesset (parliament).
"I've guided the Housing and Welfare ministers to look into this matter," he said.
Silman's friends and family told reporters that he had waged a failing struggle to economically survive, when he lost his ability to work after suffering a stroke several years ago.
Associates charged that authorities did not provide appropriate housing and welfare assistance, adding that Silman was on the verge of becoming homeless.
"The state of Israel has robbed me," Silman wrote, listing his economic woes as the reason for his attempted suicide.
"Two Housing and Constructions (Ministry) committees rejected my pleas for assistance following my stroke. No one would help me, " his letter read, according to versions published in local media.
Silman specifically blamed Netanyahu and Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz' economic policies for his dire situation.
"They take from the poor and give to the rich. I don't intend to become homeless," he added.
Moshe's nephew, Ofer, told the Ha'aretz daily on Sunday that it was not the first time his uncle tried to take his own life.
"His medical situation was deteriorated and he wasn't able to work anymore, after working his entire life. Social Security made his life a living hell. He didn't get any of the assistance he deserved, they've pushed him over the edge," he added.
Housing activist Ofer Barkan said "Moshe is an example of a citizen the country neglected, who fell through the cracks. The country is made for us but in fact serves a rich minority."
"He was desperate. He had nothing else to do," said Barkan, who knew Silman.
Housing protest co-founder Stav Shafir said Silman's act was a "sad incident," and a "sign of great distress. I was afraid that something like this was going to happen."
"I wish Moshe all the best and hope we won't see any more victims like him any more," Shafir said.
Social welfare protesters said they plan to hold demonstrations on Sunday evening, both in Jerusalem across from the prime minister's residence, as well as in Haifa, where activists said they will march his house to the city's main square.
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