The airman, who filmed the incident and could be heard yelling “Free Palestine,” was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after collapsing to the ground.

The U.S. Air Force member who set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., in an apparent protest against the Israel-Hamas war has died, according to a U.S. official.

Next of kin notification is continuing, so the Air Force won’t release his name until 24 hours after the final notification is complete.

The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Service Department responded to a call about a person on fire outside the embassy just before 1 p.m. Sunday, and found the flames extinguished by the Secret Service’s uniformed division.

  • Suavevillain@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    Aaron Bushnell is a hero and understood what is at stake. I wish people stop trying to downplay his actions as being mentally ill.

    • Ben Hur Horse Race@lemm.ee
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      8 months ago

      Jan Palach self immolated in Prague to protest the invasion of Soviet forces at the end of the Prague Spring… there are monuments to him around the city. It seems lighting youself on fire aint what it used to be

      • Linkerbaan@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        Protesting Russian war crimes means you are a hero and should be remembered forever.

        Protesting Western war crimes means you are a mentally ill tankie and need to get off Twitter.

    • RVGamer06@sh.itjust.works
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      8 months ago

      I’ve seen people on Reddit blaming “leftist circlejerk holes” for “radicalizing” him (apparently Aaron had a Reddit account)

      I felt the urge to get off Reddit more than ever.

      • SmilingSolaris@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        I’m reading your comment right now as a lifelong reddit guy abandoning the site for here because of that. Hi