Combat Veteran’s Viral Video Shows How a Simple Touch Can Trigger Trauma

Omer Amsalem, an Israel Defense Forces combat veteran from Operation Protective Edge, is working publicly for the rights of traumatized veterans in Israel. In a video he shared online that drew hundreds of thousands of views, a routine moment turned alarming when a friend came up behind him in a kiosk and tapped him on the shoulder.

Amsalem, who appeared calm and smiling at first, said the surprise touch sent him into an immediate panic response. In an interview with C14, he said, “It took me half an hour to calm down,” and added that he argued with the friend afterward. He described the sensation as “like a grenade on your back,” with a rush through the body, heart palpitations, and sudden heat, because in that moment he thinks someone is trying to hurt him.

He said even small, everyday stimuli can trigger him, including honking on the road or even a fork placed on a counter. Amsalem, who is married and has two children, said his home life is shaped by the trauma: “I am not a regular father, my wife raises the children alone. I do not help her. I can play with them until they cry. When they cry, that is a trigger.”

He also addressed what the public should do when encountering a veteran in distress. If someone is sitting on the ground, struggling to breathe, or accompanied by a service dog, he said people should offer water, say, “I am with you, everything is fine, you are in Israel,” and step back to give space. Amsalem urged Israelis not to be afraid to approach veterans, saying they are not sick, but ordinary people who experienced trauma and are strengthened by support and gratitude.