An active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force was critically injured on Sunday after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. The individual, whose name has not been released, arrived at the embassy and began livestreaming on Twitch before dousing himself in accelerant and igniting the flames. He declared that he “will no longer be complicit in genocide” during the incident.
This shocking event comes amid Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s push for military action in the southern Gazan city of Rafah, sparking controversy and criticism over Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The man’s actions highlight the deep-seated tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict and accusations of genocide against Palestinians.
This is not the first incident of self-immolation as a form of extreme political protest outside Israeli diplomatic buildings. In a similar incident in December outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta, a person also set themselves on fire in an act of protest, emphasizing the ongoing political strife and deep emotions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington responded to the scene outside the Israeli Embassy to assist U.S. Secret Service officers. No hazardous materials were found in the suspicious vehicle examined by the bomb squad.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the complex political landscape and the emotional toll of the Israel-Hamas conflict, shedding light on the deep-seated issues surrounding the ongoing violence in the region.