Israeli Paratrooper Walks Hundreds of Kilometers to Advocate for PTSD Veterans

Avi Varsano, a 50-year-old resident of Eilat and former paratrooper, has embarked on a lengthy march from his home in southern Israel to the Knesset in Jerusalem to raise awareness about the mental health struggles faced by combat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Varsano served almost continuously from the outbreak of the war until March 2026, volunteering for multiple combat fronts following the events of October 7, 2023. After his discharge, he found reintegration into civilian life challenging, experiencing symptoms of complex PTSD, which were professionally diagnosed after a distressing incident where he found himself scanning his residential building as if on military duty.

Motivated by his personal battle, Varsano decided to turn his pain into a public campaign demanding immediate government support for veterans coping with psychological trauma. Beginning in mid-August, he started his journey on foot from Eilat to Jerusalem, often walking at night to avoid extreme heat, and even required medical treatment due to the physical strain. He stresses that reaching the capital is only the beginning of his broader social struggle, stating, "I am no longer doing reserve duty, this is my reserve duty: to fight for PTSD veterans."