Horrifying image shows active-duty airman engulfed in flames outside the Israeli embassy in DC after shouting ‘Free Palestine’ and accusing the US of being ‘complicit in genocide’ in Gaza
- A man set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC
- DC Fire and EMS responded to the embassy on Sunday around 1 p.m
- “I will no longer be complicit in genocide,” the man declared
- He is in critical condition and was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries
A serving U.S. Air Force officer is in critical condition in the hospital after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in DC and livestreaming the results.
A gruesome video was broadcast on social media channel Twitch on Saturday afternoon after the man dressed in combat gear declared: “I will no longer be complicit in genocide.”
Flames spread across the man’s body after he shouted: ‘I am about to take part in an extreme protest’, before repeatedly shouting Free Palestine!’
Authorities responded to the embassy around 1 p.m. on Sunday and found the man suffering from burns, the Metropolitan Police Department told DailyMail.com.
He is in critical condition and was taken to the hospital by DC Fire and EMS with critical and life-threatening injuries.”
A US Air Force spokesperson confirmed to Task & Purpose that the man in uniform is an active duty airman. The identity of the pilot has not been confirmed.
The scene outside the Israeli embassy was streamed live on Twitch
A man set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC
He is in critical condition and was taken to the hospital by DC Fire and EMS with critical and life-threatening injuries.
Authorities responded to the embassy around 1 p.m. on Sunday and found the man with burns
The investigation is ongoing
A Secret Service spokesperson told DailyMail.com: ‘The United States Secret Service, Uniformed Division responded to the 3400 Block of International Drive, NW, DC regarding an individual experiencing a possible medical/mental emergency’
A Secret Service spokesperson told DailyMail.com: “The United States Secret Service, Uniformed Division responded to the 3400 Block of International Drive, NW, DC regarding an individual experiencing a possible medical/mental emergency.”
“DC Fire & EMS responded to the scene and treated the individual before transporting him to an area hospital.”
The Metropolitan Police Department’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit was called to the scene due to a suspicious vehicle possibly associated with the individual.
Video posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, showed aid workers on the scene outside the embassy.
The investigation is ongoing.
The Israeli embassy released a statement after the incident, saying: ‘On Sunday, February 25, around 1 p.m., a man set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington and was taken to hospital by ambulance. The man is unknown. No embassy staff were injured and are safe.”
A similar incident occurred in December when a pro-Palestinian protester set himself on fire outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta.
The city’s police chief, Darin Schierbaum, described the incident as an “extreme act of political protest” and said a Palestinian flag had been recovered from the scene.
At least two people were injured in self-immolation, including a security guard who tried to intervene.