An active-duty member of the United States Air Force is in critical condition after he set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, on Sunday. cnn reported citing reports from the Air Force and local authorities.
“The Metropolitan Police Department responded to the 3500 block of International Drive, NW, at approximately 1:00 p.m., to assist the United States Secret Service after an individual set himself on fire in front of an embassy on the block.” , reported the Washington Metropolitan Police. the Department said.
The man identified himself as Aaron Bushnell in a video of the incident.
He said: “I will no longer be complicit in genocide” before adding that the actions he will follow are minimal compared to the suffering of the Palestinians.
He places the recording device on the ground, pours an unknown liquid on himself, and shouts “Free Palestine” repeatedly before collapsing.
Police officers intervened to extinguish the flames with fire extinguishers.
Rose Riley, a spokeswoman for the US Air Force, said: “I can confirm that an active duty airman was involved in today's incident.”
The District of Columbia Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services transported the man to a local hospital, MPD said.
An Israeli embassy spokesman said: “No embassy staff were injured and are safe.”
By the time firefighters arrived on the scene, the U.S. Secret Service had already extinguished the fire, according to Vito Maggiolo, public information officer for DC Fire.
MPD said it is working with the Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to investigate the incident.
In December, a person set himself on fire outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta, likely in an extreme political protest.
A Palestinian flag was recovered and gasoline was used as an accelerant, according to police and firefighters.
Israel is waging war against Gaza, following surprise Hamas attacks on October 7 that killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli authorities. Since then, the government led by Benjamin Netanyahu has killed nearly 30,000 people in Gaza, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
