A member of the US Air Force sets himself on fire

With potentially fatal injuries, the man who recorded and broadcast the demonstration was taken to a medical facility. He was verified as an active-duty airman by the U.S. Air Force. The Metropolitan Police Department reports that a man set himself on fire on Sunday afternoon outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington. The man was confirmed to be an active-duty airman on Sunday night by Ann Stefanek, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Air Force. According to Vito Maggiolo, a spokesman for the city’s fire department, the U.S. Secret Service put out the fire outside the embassy in northwest Washington at approximately one in the afternoon. With potentially fatal wounds, the man was brought to a local hospital and is still in critical condition.

The video showed a man saying, “I will no longer be complicit in genocide,” which was reminiscent of the words used by those who oppose Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. “I’m going to do something really drastic to protest.” Setting his phone aside, he filmed himself drenching himself in a transparent liquid vial while positioned in front of the embassy gates. Then he started a fire under himself and yelled, “Free Palestine!” until he collapsed. Just before the fire started, the video showed police officers advancing on him. “Can I help you, sir?” was one that was audible off-camera. Then, it took the officers over a minute to frantically douse the flames.

The protest of this American was very strong

Prior to his public identification, U.S. Air Force spokespeople verified to CNN, the New York Times, and the Washington Post that the man who set himself on fire was an active-duty airman. According to a Defense Department policy, active duty military personnel “should not engage in partisan political activity.” “Unofficial public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies, or any public demonstration which may imply sanction or endorsement by [the Defense Department] or the Military Service” are other instances in which wearing the uniform is forbidden by military regulations.  According to his LinkedIn profile, Bushnell, who was seen wearing fatigues on Sunday in Washington, was a DevOps engineer with a base in San Antonio, Texas.

Before he intended to self-immolate, Bushnell allegedly sent a message to media organizations. He declared, “I am going to carry out a very dramatic act of protest against the genocide of the Palestinian people today.” Additionally, it has been reported that he broadcast the act live on Twitch, a website that has since taken down the video due to guidelines violations and has not reacted to a request for comment from TIME. “I refuse to take part in acts of genocide anymore. In video seen by TIME, the airman said, “I’m going to carry out a very strong protest.” He was heading toward the Israeli embassy’s driveway. However, it’s not at all harsh in comparison to what people have been going through in Palestine at the hands of their colonizers. This is what the people in power have determined will be typical.

The US American protest is very important 

“Can I help you?” was asked off-screen by unidentified law enforcement or security personnel after Bushnell soaked himself with liquid and reached for his lighter. He ignited himself and yelled, “Free Palestine,” several times. Following the October 7 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas, which Israeli officials claim claimed 1,200 lives, protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza and against US support for Israel have become routine. About 30,000 people have reportedly died as a result of Tel Aviv’s bombardment of the enclave, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which is under Hamas’ control.

It is not the first time that someone has set themselves on fire outside Israel’s diplomatic outposts; they have since evolved into ongoing sites of protest against the Middle East war. Self-immolation has a long history as a protest tactic, becoming especially well-known in the wake of the Vietnam War and the Arab Spring in Tunisia. An unidentified individual wearing a Palestinian flag set themselves on fire in front of the Israeli consulate in Atlanta in December, leaving them in critical condition. Text or call 988 if you think that you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis or is thinking about taking their own life. In an emergency, dial 911 or visit a nearby hospital or mental health professional for assistance.

And the American are not happy with this war

Since the Palestinian organization Hamas‘ cross-border incursion on October 7, Israel has launched a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of over 29,690 people, widespread destruction, and shortages of essential supplies. It is estimated that nearly 1,200 Israelis have also perished in the fighting. According to the UN, the Israeli war on Gaza has caused 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure to be damaged or destroyed, and 85% of its population to be internally displaced due to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine. The International Court of Justice has accused Israel of genocide. In January, an interim ruling mandated that Tel Aviv cease its acts of genocide and take steps to ensure that civilians in Gaza receive humanitarian aid. But the violence hasn’t stopped, and there hasn’t been nearly enough aid to address the humanitarian crisis.