Two MKs urge Kats to admit Roi Wasserstein, who died of suicide due to fallen soldiers

In a separate letter, MKS described Wasserstein’s extensive combat service during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and the serious psychological damage caused to him.

Disclaimer: This article discusses sensitive topics, including suicide and PTSD.

Mk Meirav Ben Ari and Mk Etty Chava Atia of Likud on Thursday appealed to Defense Minister Israel Katz to reconsider the IDF’s decision not to recognize Reservist Roi Wasserstein as a fallen soldier.

In a separate letter, MKS described the extensive combat service of Vasburg during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and the serious psychological damage caused to him.

“I speak to you on behalf of the Wasserstein family and urgently demand the recognition of their son Roi, a blessed memory as a fallen soldier of the IDF,” wrote Ben Ari. “The 24-year-old ROI was in the Armored Army of the 401st Battalion, serving as a combat soldier in the conventional combat force. During the war, he participated in intense combat operations in the Gaza Strip, which lasted for more than 300 days.”

“The ROI suffered severe emotional trauma due to the intense battle and was deeply affected mentally and emotionally,” she continued. “Unfortunately, the ROI was not treated properly psychologically and professionally.

“A few days after completing military service on Wednesday, July 30, the ROI took his own life.”

Ben Ari urged Katz to reconsider the IDF’s decision, saying: “His role in the combat zone, the serious psychological impact he endured and the heavy price he paid for his life, demanding such recognition and national responsibility.”

Similarly, Asia wrote in a letter to Katz: “The hard and long battle in Gaza left deep psychological scars, causing him to take his own life.”

“Nevertheless, ROI’s inner world is still closely linked to his military experience and units, and it is clear that the trauma he carries is directly derived from his combat service. His fellow soldiers, commanders and families proved the suffering he endured and the terrible price he paid.”

She added: “As someone familiar with the Department of Defense procedures, I understand that the complexity of Roi Wasserstein Z is a fallen IDF soldier,” she added: “But I firmly believe that in this case, considering his death is close to his discharge, after severe post-symptoms, it is his attitude, and that is his range. Even if his death did not occur in the combat zone, it is clearly the result of one person’s injury.”

Kaz’s response

Kaz responded to the situation after receiving a letter from MKS, saying he directed the IDF to provide “all possible assistance” to Wasserstein’s family, including assisting with funeral arrangements and military honors.

Additionally, Kaz added that the IDF personnel agency is “in an ongoing and ongoing connection with the family”.

Wasserstein served in the IDF reserve for more than 300 days in the 401st Armored Brigade and committed suicide on Wednesday. The military said it said he refused to admit that Vasburg was a fallen soldier because it did not fulfill the reserve fund during the suicide.

According to Kadosh and the Wasserstein family, the ROI has been sharing the hardships of his reserve service and repeatedly talked about the horror he experienced.

Kadosh reported that the IDF told him: “Civilians who were not actively prepared during suicide were considered to be undeemed to be the casualties of the IDF, nor were there any intention to change that.” Kadosh noted that the recent reservist duties of Vastanstan ended in May.

Kadosh clarified that the experience he faced traumatized his role in the hiring medical evacuation department.