U.S. Air Force Aaron Bushnell… Condemning the ‘Gaza massacre’
Live broadcast of self-immolation protest in front of the Israeli Embassy in the United States
An active-duty U.S. Air Force soldier who set himself on fire in front of the Israeli Embassy in the U.S. to protest against the war in the Gaza Strip has died.
According to the Associated Press on the 26th (local time), the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department announced that Aaron Bushnell (25), an Air Force soldier from Texas, died that day.
The U.S. Air Force also issued a statement confirming, “The soldier involved in the (self-immolation protest) incident died last night from injuries,” adding that additional information would be provided after notifying his relatives of the death.
Bushnell staged a self-immolation protest in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., at around 1 p.m. the previous day, opposing the war in the Gaza Strip.
According to CNN, Bushnell said he would “no longer be complicit in genocide” and said his suffering was minimal compared to that of Palestinians amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He also repeatedly chanted “Free Palestine.”
Bushnell was broadcasting himself in real time on SNS at the time. The video has since been deleted, and police have obtained a copy and are investigating.
An Israeli embassy spokesman said no staff were injured in the incident.
The U.S. Department of Defense commented, calling it a “tragic incident.”
Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said at a briefing that day, “This is a tragic incident,” and “U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is monitoring the situation.”
Ryder added that he was not aware of any other protests by soldiers opposing the war.
Previously, in December last year, there was a self-immolation protest against the war in front of the Israeli consulate in Atlanta, USA. A Palestinian flag was found at the scene. The police judged that “there is a possibility that it was an extreme act of political protest.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.