An Air Force man is dead after setting himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington D.C. Sunday night. Aaron Bushnell was identified by U.S. Air Force Spokeswoman, Ann Stefanek. Bushnell was confirmed to be an active duty member. He was 25.
The protest was livestreamed on streaming platform, Twitch. It has since been deleted from the website and removed from X.
According to the New York Times, Bushnell, dressed in uniform, expressed his displeasure with the U.S.’s stance in the ongoing Israel and Palestine conflict, before shouting “Free Palestine” and lighting himself on fire. He was pronounced dead Sunday night.
Officials say no one else was harmed in the incident.
This is the second incident of self-immolation in the U.S. attributed to the conflict. Last December, a man in Atlanta also lit himself on fire in protest. Since Israel’s offensive began on October 7 after ongoing attacks by Hamas, many have called out for a ceasefire and peaceful resolution.
While a conclusion remains to be seen, protests have continued at the embassy. Authorities have said the investigation is ongoing.