A shocking incident of self-immolation by a US Air Force member outside the Israeli embassy in Washington DC has sparked a debate over the Israel-Palestine conflict and its impact on US foreign policy.
The man who set himself on fire on Sunday afternoon was identified by police as Aaron Bushnell, 25, a software engineer-in-training who joined the Air Force in May 2020. He was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, and was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in software engineering online.
Before his fatal act, Bushnell live-streamed a video on Twitch, a streaming platform, where he declared his intention to protest against the “genocide of the Palestinian people” by Israel. He said he was “no longer complicit” in the war and that he was “about to engage in an extreme act of protest”.
He then walked to the gates of the Israeli embassy, poured a flammable liquid over himself, and lit a match. He screamed “Free Palestine” several times as he was engulfed in flames, before collapsing on the ground. He was rushed to a hospital, where he died hours later.
The reaction from the Israeli embassy and the US government
The Israeli embassy said in a statement that no staff members were injured in the incident and that it was cooperating with the authorities. It also expressed its condolences to Bushnell’s family and friends.
The US Secret Service, which extinguished the fire, said it was investigating the incident along with the Washington police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It also said it had cleared a suspicious vehicle that was parked near the scene.
The Pentagon confirmed that Bushnell was an active-duty service member and called the incident a “tragic event” during a press conference on Monday. It did not provide any details about his service or his motive.
The Air Force said it was “deeply saddened” by Bushnell’s death and that it was providing support to his family and unit.
The context of the Israel-Gaza war and its aftermath
Bushnell’s self-immolation came amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, which erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants infiltrated southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 253 others hostage. Israel responded by launching a military campaign in Gaza, targeting Hamas and other militant groups.
The war has resulted in the deaths of 29,300 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and 1,100 people in Israel, according to the Israeli military. The United Nations estimates that 1.9 million civilians in Gaza have been displaced by the Israeli airstrikes and ground operations, accounting for 85% of its population.
The war has also sparked protests and clashes around the world, especially in countries with large Muslim populations. Many demonstrators have expressed solidarity with the Palestinians and condemned Israel’s actions as disproportionate and inhumane. Some have also accused the US of supporting Israel’s aggression and ignoring the plight of the Palestinians.
The US has been Israel’s staunchest ally and has provided it with military and diplomatic support. It has also vetoed several UN resolutions that criticized Israel’s conduct in the war. However, it has also called for a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution of the conflict. It has also pledged to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza and to help rebuild its infrastructure.
The implications of Bushnell’s self-immolation for the US public opinion and policy
Bushnell’s self-immolation has raised questions about the US public opinion and policy on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Some analysts have suggested that his act was a sign of frustration and disillusionment with the US government’s stance on the issue and a call for a more balanced and humane approach.
Others have argued that his act was an isolated and extreme case that did not reflect the views of the majority of Americans, who still support Israel’s right to defend itself and see it as a strategic partner in the Middle East.
Some have also pointed out that his act was influenced by his personal and psychological factors, such as his mental health, his religious beliefs, or his political affiliations.
Bushnell’s self-immolation has also sparked a debate over the role of social media and online platforms in spreading information and misinformation about the conflict and in influencing people’s actions and opinions. Some have criticized Twitch for allowing Bushnell to broadcast his video live and for not removing it promptly. Others have defended Twitch’s policy of allowing freedom of expression and documenting historical events.
Bushnell’s self-immolation has also drawn comparisons to other cases of self-immolation in history, such as the Buddhist monks who burned themselves in protest of the Vietnam War, the Tunisian street vendor who ignited the Arab Spring, and the Tibetan activists who opposed the Chinese rule.
