Aaron Bushnell, U.S. Air Force Member, Dies After Setting Himself Ablaze Outside Israeli Embassy

An active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force, Aaron Bushnell, tragically passed away after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. Bushnell, a 25-year-old airman from San Antonio, Texas, succumbed to his injuries, as confirmed by the Metropolitan Police Department on Monday.

Originally hailing from Massachusetts, Bushnell attended Nauset Public Schools during two separate periods, from 2003-2007 and 2013-2014. The school district expressed deep sorrow over the loss of one of their former students, extending their condolences to Bushnell’s family and friends.

On the day of the incident, Bushnell arrived at the embassy around 1 p.m. and began livestreaming on Twitch. Reports suggest that he poured accelerant over himself before igniting the flames, all while stating that he refused to be complicit in genocide. Although the video was removed from the platform, law enforcement officials have reviewed a copy.

In an official statement, the Air Force announced Bushnell’s passing, indicating that further information would be shared once his next of kin had been notified. The tragic event unfolded amidst Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s push for cabinet approval on a military operation in Rafah, Gaza, amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations.

The Israeli military’s actions in Gaza have faced criticism, with accusations of genocide levelled against the Palestinians. Israel vehemently denies these claims, asserting that their operations align with international law within the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

This incident follows a similar act of extreme political protest in December, where an individual self-immolated outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta. The individual used gasoline as an accelerant, and a Palestinian flag was discovered at the scene.