A situation occurred at the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C on Sunday afternoon, in which a man claiming to be an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force set himself on fire. D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) received a call at 12:58 p.m. about a person on fire. The man was extinguished by Secret Service Uniformed Division members before emergency crews arrived at the scene. A video and image of the man on fire have circulated on social media, sparking concern about the incident.
According to reports, the man made statements before setting himself on fire, expressing his objection to ongoing violence in Palestine. Allegedly, he shouted “Free Palestine” and declared he would “no longer be complicit in genocide.” The man was then transported to a local hospital in critical condition. However, the man’s identity remains unknown at this time, leaving officials unable to confirm his claims of being in the Air Force.
At 12:58 PM @dcfireems responded to call for person on fire outside the Israeli Embassy. Arrived to find fire extinguished by members of @SecretService Uniformed Division. 1 adult male transported critical life threatening injuries to an area hospital. #DCBravest
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) February 25, 2024
Ann Stefanek, a spokeswoman for the Air Force, stated that they have yet to verify the man’s duty status. She added that they are working to gather more information about the incident. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has launched an investigation and has requested the assistance of its Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit to inspect a suspicious vehicle believed to be linked to the man. However, MPD later announced that the vehicle was found to have no hazardous materials present.
At this point, it is unclear what led to this drastic and concerning act by the man. The Israeli Embassy has not released any official statement on the incident. The motive behind the man’s actions remains unknown, and it is unclear whether he had any past ties to the Embassy or any affiliations with pro-Palestine groups. We can only hope for a speedy recovery for the man and for more information to come to light.
This incident has sparked discussions and concerns over the ongoing violence in Palestine, with some speculating that it may have played a role in the man’s actions. The recent escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine has been ongoing for weeks, with both sides facing civilian casualties and mass destruction. It is a sensitive and controversial topic that continues to divide opinions and spark global conversations.
WATCH
#BREAKING | A man set himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington DC pic.twitter.com/EpM2tOf34h
— Breaking news 24/7 (@aliifil1) February 25, 2024
As more details emerge about this incident, we will gain a better understanding of what transpired and the underlying motivations behind it. In the meantime, our thoughts are with the man and those affected by this alarming event. In the words of the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services, “Our hearts are with those who were impacted by this incident in one way or another.” We can only hope for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict and for the safety and well-being of all those involved.