2nd Israeli self-immolator dies

Akiva Mafi'i, a disabled Israeli veteran, died 10 days after setting himself on fire to protest his deteriorating economic situation, Tel Aviv officials said. The 45-year old veteran succumbed to his injuries Wednesday at the Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, after suffering from burns that covered 70 percent of his body, Ynetnews.com said. Mafi'i set himself on fire at a bus stop near Yehud to protest his plight. He is the second Israeli to self-immolate in protest of worsening economic conditions. Moshe Sliman died after setting himself on fire at a social justice protest in Tel Aviv in July. Mafi'i was injured during his military service and underwent rehabilitation, volunteered in the Border Guards but later suffered a stroke following an accident, Ynetnews.com said. In recent years the social services and the National Insurance Institute sought to assist him, Ynet, a Mideast news Web site, said. Days after Mafi'i self-immolated, the Defense Ministry said it would establish a new unit that would directly address the needs of veterans with 100 percent service-connected disabilities, Ynetnews.com said.