US Air Force Member Sets Himself on Fire un Front of Israel Embassy in Protest Over Palestine
A US Air Force serviceman is now in critical condition after setting himself on fire in front of the Israeli Embassy to protest Israel's ongoing campaign in Palestine.
The man, whose name was not yet released to the public, is confirmed to be an active duty member of the US Air Force. He shouted "Free Palestine" as he set himself ablaze during the incident in Washington DC. Law enforcement officials quickly rushed him as he was burning and extinguished the flames. They then sent him to a nearby hospital.
Air Force spokesperson Ann Stefanek told Axios in an email that "an active duty Airman was involved in today's incident" but did not provide any further details on who that airman is.
In a video of the incident, he stated that he would "no longer be complicit in genocide," and added, "I am about to engage in an extreme act of protest."
He is currently at a DC hospital and is suffering from "critical life-threatening injuries," according to the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department.
Soon after the incident, the Israeli Embassy released a statement that announced that none of its staff was injured and all were safe. Israel is accused of committing genocide in Gaza as a response to a terrorist attack by Hamas last year. It is facing a case in the International Court of Justice over its recent actions.
Protests against Israel's actions toward Palestine are going on throughout the world, including in the United States, as pro-Palestinian protesters call for a ceasefire in the region.
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Bomb Squad Was Called When Air Force Serviceman Set Himself on Fire Outside Israel Embassy
The DC Metropolitan Police Department, meanwhile, has released a statement and revealed that its officers responded to the scene outside the Israeli Embassy to assist the US Secret Service. MPD stated that its bomb squad was also called into the scene.
According to the Associated Press, the bomb squad was called in to examine what was described as a "suspicious vehicle." However, the DC police noted that they found no hazardous materials in that said vehicle.
This is also not the first time an American self-immolated to protest Israel's actions against Palestine. In December of last year, a man set himself on fire in Atlanta as an act of "extreme political protest" against Israel's aggression.
Latin American Leaders Continue Slamming Israel Over Assault on Gaza
Meanwhile, Israel is getting much condemnation from other parts of the Americas, particularly in Latin America, where countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Chile have denounced its actions in Gaza.
This is highlighted by the current row between Israel and Brazil, with the latter recalling its ambassador to Israel just last week. The row included Brazil President Lula likening Israel's war on Gaza to the Holocaust, according to Al Jazeera.
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: Man sets himself on fire outside Embassy of Israel in Northwest DC, police say - WUSA9