American soldier sets himself on fire in front of Israeli Embassy in Washington over Gaza

(Patria) - An active member of the U.S. Air Force set himself on fire on Sunday in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington in protest against the war in Gaza, numerous American media outlets report.

“I will no longer be complicit in genocide. I am about to engage in an extreme act of protest, but, compared to what people are experiencing in Palestine at the hands of colonizers, this is not extreme at all. This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal,” said 25-year-old Aaron Bushnell before setting himself on fire.

The fire was extinguished by Secret Service personnel, and Bushnell was subsequently taken to a hospital with "critical, life-threatening injuries," the Washington Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department announced.

The report states that an adult male set himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington.

“Upon arrival at the scene, we saw that the fire had been extinguished by uniformed Secret Service members,” an unnamed official said.

Multiple reports indicate that the man shouted "Free Palestine" before setting himself on fire.

The Washington Post reported that Air Force spokesperson Rose M. Riley confirmed that he was an active-duty airman.

In a video broadcast live on the Twitch platform, but later removed, Bushnell said he "will no longer be complicit in genocide," in connection with Israeli killings in Gaza.

Local authorities announced that an investigation into the case is ongoing.

In December 2023, a person set themselves on fire in front of the Israeli consulate in Atlanta, USA, in protest against Israel over the attacks in the Gaza Strip.