Air Force Member Engages in Self-Immolation
A man set himself on fire outside an embassy on International Drive, NW, in Washington, D.C., at approximately 1:00 pm local time on Sunday. The incident prompted officers from the US Secret Service to respond, and they managed to extinguish the flames before the man was transported to the hospital in critical condition. The individual, later identified as an active-duty airman by a US Air Force spokeswoman, shouted “Free Palestine” as he burned, according to a video circulating on social media.
The Washington police department is investigating in collaboration with the Secret Service and other relevant authorities. The incident occurred near the 3500 block of International Drive, NW. Concerns about a suspicious vehicle led to the dispatch of a bomb disposal unit, which later confirmed the absence of hazardous materials.
While the man’s actions were reported to police, they were initially alerted to the situation by the US Secret Service seeking assistance. The Israeli foreign ministry stated that the individual was unknown to embassy staff. Fortunately, no embassy staff members were harmed during the incident.
This incident recalls a similar event in December, where a protester set themselves on fire outside the Israeli consulate in Georgia, using petrol, and leaving a Palestinian flag at the scene. In both instances, the individuals involved in self-immolation were expressing their grievances near Israeli diplomatic missions in the US.
The Washington incident adds to the complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with such acts of protest drawing attention to the ongoing tensions and divergent perspectives on the issue. The authorities are conducting thorough investigations to understand the motives and circumstances of these incidents.
