The airman, who filmed the incident and could be heard yelling “Free Palestine,” was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after collapsing to the ground.

The U.S. Air Force member who set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., in an apparent protest against the Israel-Hamas war has died, according to a U.S. official.

Next of kin notification is continuing, so the Air Force won’t release his name until 24 hours after the final notification is complete.

The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Service Department responded to a call about a person on fire outside the embassy just before 1 p.m. Sunday, and found the flames extinguished by the Secret Service’s uniformed division.

  • TheRealKuni@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Next of kin notification is continuing, so the Air Force won’t release his name until 24 hours after the final notification is complete.

    But he live-streamed it and said his name. He is Aaron Bushnell, a brave man who knew he wouldn’t survive the protest he felt he needed to carry out.

    I cried when I watched the video. The man inhaling lungfuls of flame and smoke to chant “Free Palestine!” was painful. I hope his family may find some small comfort in the pride they should feel for his courage.

    • olivebranch@lemmy.ca
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      1 year ago

      It will be all for nothing if the people don’t unite in demanding that US stops supporting genocide and if they have to, go to the streets and stop this war crime by force.

      • WoahWoah@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        No, it won’t be nothing. It will always be something. Ineffective, perhaps. Ignored, maybe.

        But it’s always something when someone tortures themselves to death for a reason.

        Don’t assume it means nothing just because it doesn’t result in what you want.

  • Venia Silente@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    Honestly I don’t understand this thing of thing. If you are so for freeing Palestine, or against Israel, and limited to being one person, wouldn’t it make more sense / do more overall good if you can take down at least one israeli with you? Instead of burning down alone.

    Frankly, it barely counts as a symbolic gesture.

    • aStonedSanta@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      I think most Americans have lost their empathy and this type of commentary right here highlights it.

      • Venia Silente@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        Most Americans believe everyone else in the world is also American and views thing with skewed American morals, and this type of comment right here highlights it.