From the Liveblog of
Monday, February 26, 2024
US airman in critical condition after self-immolation outside Israeli embassy in Washington
A US military service member who set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington earlier today in an apparent act of protest against the war in Gaza is in critical condition, authorities say.
The man was transported to an area hospital after the fire was put out by US Secret Service officers, DC Fire and EMS posted online. The man remains in critical condition, a Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson said Sunday afternoon.
An Air Force spokesperson confirmed that the incident involved an active duty airman.
“I will no longer be complicit in genocide,” said the man, wearing military fatigues, in a video he broadcasted live over the internet, according to the New York Times.
UPDATE: I got footage of the self-immolation at the Israeli embassy in DC.
The individual, wearing fatigues, introduces himself as “an active duty member of the U.S. Air Force and I will no longer be complicit in genocide.”
After ignition, he repeatedly yells “Free Palestine.” https://t.co/wk5LGK4Hp2 pic.twitter.com/EX1L8zG8tR
— Talia Jane ❤️???? (@taliaotg) February 25, 2024
He then doused himself in a clear liquid and set himself on fire, screaming “Free Palestine,” the Times reported.
Local police and Secret Service are investigating the incident.
In December, a protester set herself on fire outside the Israeli Consulate in Atlanta.
