Washington DC, April 4th – A disturbing incident occurred on Sunday as an active-duty US airman set himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington DC. Emergency services responded swiftly, extinguishing the flames before rushing him to the hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries. The man’s motives remain unclear, and authorities are now investigating the episode.
The Washington police department, alongside the Secret Service and other relevant authorities, are leading the investigation into the distressing event. Police reported that the incident took place at around 1:00 pm on Sunday in the 3500 block of International Drive, NW. They received the call to assist the Secret Service after an individual had set himself on fire in front of an embassy in that block. The adult male victim was rushed to the hospital and is currently in critical condition.
A video circulating on social media reportedly shows the man shouting “Free Palestine” as he ignited. Concerns about a potential threat prompted the dispatch of a bomb disposal unit to the site, but after extensive inspection, no hazardous materials were found. The Israeli embassy spokeswoman confirmed that none of the embassy staff was injured during the incident. The Israeli foreign ministry also stated that the man was not known to embassy employees.
This is not the first instance of self-immolation in front of an Israeli diplomatic mission in the US. In December of last year, a protester set themselves on fire in front of the Israeli consulate located in the state of Georgia. On that occasion, a Palestinian flag was discovered alongside the individual who had used petrol as a means of self-immolation.
The motives behind this brave yet deeply disturbing act of self-immolation remain unclear, leaving authorities searching for answers. As the investigation unfolds, it is hoped that further details will emerge, shedding light on the man’s intentions and raising awareness of any underlying issues that may have led to this tragic event.