‘Israeli’ Air Force pilot Asaf Dagan kiIIеd himself and left a note to his mother. “Everyone not dead or injured is mentally damaged,” a parent of a soldier who committed suicide has said.
Asaf Dagan, a former Israeli Air Force pilot and career officer, died by suicide on Wednesday at the age of 37. His passing has prompted his mother, Miri, to call for a military funeral in honor of his years of service. In his note to his mother, Dagan referenced his deep struggle with mental health following his military career, a sentiment shared by other families of soldiers facing similar challenges. He left 4 young kids at home to go and drive around in D9 destroying everything in his path.
Dagan served for nearly two decades in various capacities within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). His service included the paratroopers, the air force, and Unit 8200, an elite intelligence unit. Although he was never formally diagnosed, Miri believes her son suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), an experience she says he could not fully express. “I noticed he was not himself anymore,” Miri told Ynet, recalling how he became increasingly isolated, sensitive to noise, and withdrawn from family and friends.
Asaf’s role in the air force eventually shifted to administrative duties at IDF Headquarters in Tel Aviv. According to Miri, he continued to participate in weekly reserve duty even after his active service ended, yet his condition worsened over time. Miri recounted her persistent efforts to seek help for Asaf: “I reached out to the air force and insisted that he should no longer be allowed to fly,” she explained. She claims that after he was grounded, he continued to struggle without the resources he needed.
Families of soldiers facing mental health challenges following service have increasingly sought recognition for their loved ones’ suffering, whether formally diagnosed or not. Miri’s appeal to the IDF for a military funeral for Asaf emphasizes her wish to honor her son’s memory and the complex psychological effects of military
