A member of the United States Air Force set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC, claiming he would not be part of the genocide of Palestinians.
“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 themselves on fire in front of an embassy in the block,” the Washington Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement to CNN.
The man identifies himself as Aaron Bushnell and says, "I will no longer be complicit in genocide," before going on to explain that what he's about to do is nothing in comparison to the pain of Palestinians.
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He then places the recording device on the ground before pouring liquid on himself while chanting "Free Palestine" again. He eventually collapses as police officers hurry to put out the fire with fire extinguishers.
Rose Riley, a spokesperson for the US Air Force, told CNN that an active duty Airman was involved in the incident.
DC Fire and EMS transported the victim to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition. A spokeswoman from the Israeli diplomatic stated that "no embassy staff were injured and are safe."
The MPD stated it is collaborating with the Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to investigate the incident.
Israel is at war with Hamas in Gaza following the group's terror strikes on Israel on October 7, which killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli authorities. The retaliation has killed roughly 30,000 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry.
