Israeli Protester Moshe Silman Sets Himself On Fire In Tel Aviv (PICTURES)

PICTURES: Israeli Protester Sets Himself On Fire

A protester in Israel set himself on fire on Saturday, suffering third-degree burns over 94% of his body.

Moshe Silman, 57, is now in a critical condition in hospital.

He took part in a demonstration in Tel Aviv against the high cost of living and handed out a suicide note to others taking part that explained he was in a desperate financial position.

It said: “The state of Israel robbed me of everything and left me with nothing,” according to The Times of Israel.

He read the note out aloud, then covered himself in flammable liquid and set himself on fire.

Frantic protesters poured water over him and smothered the flames, eventually putting them out.

As paramedics rushed to the scene, Mr Silman sat on the road and ate a lolly.

Despite his apparent calm he was left with terrible injuries and is now being treated in a burn unit at Sheba Medical Center.

Isaac Hayek, head of Sheba’s intensive care unit, told Israeli newspaper Maariv: “His chances of surviving are slim, it is only in rare cases that we have managed to save people in similar condition. He arrived here in critical condition.

"Anaesthetised and ventilated, he is now at death’s door.”

Mr Silman’s sister, Batzion Elul, told The Times of Israel: “Everyone knows he was fully aware of what he was doing. He was a sane man.”