An active-duty member of the US Air Force was critically injured on Sunday after setting himself ablaze outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, while declaring that he “will no longer be complicit in genocide,” a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.
The man, whose name was not immediately released, walked up to the embassy shortly before 1pm and began livestreaming on the video streaming platform Twitch, the person said.
Law enforcement officials believe the man started a livestream, put his phone down and then doused himself in accelerant and ignited the flames.
Photo: AFP
At one point, he said he “will no longer be complicit in genocide,” the person said.
The video was later removed from the platform, but law enforcement officials have obtained and reviewed a copy.
The person was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Police did not immediately provide any additional details about the incident.
Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has drawn criticisms, including genocide claims which Israel has adamantly denied.
In December last year, a person self-immolated outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta, Georgia, using gasoline as an accelerant, according to Atlanta fire authorities. A Palestinian flag was found at the scene and the act was believed to be one of “extreme political protest.”
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington said its officers had responded to the scene outside the Israeli embassy to assist US Secret Service officers and that its bomb squad had also been called to examine a suspicious vehicle.
Police said that no hazardous materials were found in the vehicle.
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