According to a report released by the Zionist regime’s war ministry, out of the 124 Israeli troops who committed suicide between 2007 and 2012, 63% were native born Israelis, and 37% were immigrants. Eight times more male soldiers than female soldiers committed suicide.

Those committing suicide were members of various service corps, as well as police officers. 2010 registered as the year with the most suicides, with 27. In 2012, 14 forces and police officers committed suicide.

Most of those committing suicide (84%) were soldiers in regular service, with 74% of the between the ages of 21 and 28. Only 20% of those committing suicide did so after they finished their three year required service stint.

60% of suicide instances occurred when soldiers were on base and on active duty, with 40% taking place when soldiers were on leave. The vast majority of suicides were committed using guns, with 103 soldiers shooting themselves - although most did not use the army-issued weapons to kill themselves.

The authors of the study sought to do an analysis of suicides among Israeli troops as compared with suicides in the U.S. Army, but found that there is almost no historical data on suicides by Israeli troops. The authors said Israeli war ministry had refused to supply information on the phenomenon.

The recent report presented to the Knesset, said that the number of suicides was worrying, and demanded that the army be more open in discussing ways to prevent soldier suicides.

NJF/NJF