Man Self-Immolates Near Israeli Embassy in the US

On Sunday evening, a shocking incident unfolded near the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC, United States. A man tragically set himself on fire, resulting in grave injuries that put his life in dire jeopardy. The reports emerging from the US suggest that the man claimed to be an enlisted member of the US Air Force. He allegedly expressed an unwillingness to partake in what he perceived as genocide, believed to be in reference to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The incident, which can only be described as extraordinary and tragic, took place around 1:00 PM local time. It occurred in close proximity to the embassy’s gate in the American capital. The immediate response saw Secret Service security guards rushing to extinguish the flames engulfing the man. Concurrently, rescuers arrived on the scene, with footage capturing them performing critical, initial CPR. Despite their best efforts, the man was taken to the hospital with severe burns, leading to reports indicating a significant threat to his life. Additionally, the police carried out a thorough examination of a suspicious car, suspected to be the man’s property.

According to the reports that have surfaced, the individual – whose identity remains undisclosed – identified himself in a video he reportedly recorded at the scene. He claimed to be an active-duty soldier in the US Air Force, and proclaimed, “I am no longer willing to be an accomplice to genocide.” The video then captured him stating, “I am about to be involved in an extreme act of protest, but compared to what people go through in Palestine at the hands of the occupiers, it is not extreme at all.” He further criticized the ruling class for normalizing such situations. It was right after this statement that he set himself ablaze while chanting “Free Palestine,” right in front of police officers who couldn’t prevent the act.

The embassy, in its statement, confirmed that none of its staff members were injured in the incident. “The man is unknown to us,” a spokesperson for the diplomatic mission commented. It’s worth noting that this is the second incident of this nature since the war in Gaza began. Earlier in December, a pro-Palestinian protester similarly set herself on fire in front of the Israeli consulate in Atlanta, resulting in deadly injuries.