The soldier who set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy, was Aaron Bushnell Jewish? This recent news has garnered everyone’s attention.
An incident unfolded outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., where an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force, Aaron Bushnell, drew attention through a tragic act.
On February 25, 2024, he set himself on fire as a form of protest. This shocking event received widespread media coverage.
Acting in uniform, the Air Force member, believed to be motivated by leftist ideals, attempted to protest Israel’s conflict with Hamas.
The individual, identifying as Aaron Bushnell, voiced his refusal to be complicit in what he termed as genocide against Palestinians before proceeding with the self-immolation.
He poured an unidentified liquid over himself, ignited it, and repeatedly shouted “Free Palestine” as police intervened to extinguish the flames.
Rose Riley, a spokesperson for the U.S. Air Force, confirmed to CNN the involvement of an active-duty airman in the incident.
Notably, the Department of Defense strictly prohibits political activities while in uniform.
Religion Origin: Was Aaron Bushnell Jewish?
As of now, the individual who lit himself up around 1:00 p.m., Aaron Bushnell’s religious affiliation remains unknown.
Despite his vocal support for Palestine, evidenced by his shouts of “Free Palestine” after setting himself on fire, assumptions about his religious background as Jewish are uncertain.
This uncertainty arises due to the predominantly Jewish population of Israel and the mainly Muslim population of Palestine.
Bushnell is currently in critical condition and receiving treatment at a nearby hospital. The incident has prompted investigations by local police and the Secret Service.
This event occurs amidst ongoing protests against the Gaza conflict, which have sparked demonstrations both in support of Palestinians and Israelis across the U.S.
The incident on the 3500 block of International Drive, N.W., with the Metropolitan Police Department aiding the United States Secret Service after the individual self-immolated.
Secret Service officers swiftly extinguished the flames, and the individual was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition by D.C. Fire and EMS.
The Israeli Embassy confirmed no embassy staff were harmed. Authorities are probing the incident amidst the backdrop of protests against the Gaza conflict.
This event echoes a similar incident in December outside the Israeli Consulate in Atlanta, where an individual also self-immolated as a political statement.
What Was Aaron Bushnell’s Ethnicity?
Aaron Bushnell, a current member of the U.S. Air Force, set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington on Sunday.
According to journalist Karol Markowicz, he claimed to be protesting the “genocide” in Gaza.
Bushnell, dressed in fatigues, his ethnicity remains undisclosed, and no family connection is established.
Likewise, he identified himself as “an active duty member of the U.S. Air Force” and stated he would no longer be complicit in genocide.
After igniting himself, he repeatedly shouted, “Free Palestine.” The dramatic incident was captured on video, with still images released.
Bushnell expressed his refusal to be complicit in genocide before falling to the ground in pain. The U.S. Air Force is not involved in operations in Gaza.
Police quickly arrived, one drawing a gun, and used fire extinguishers. As per the latest information, Bushnell is still alive but with life-threatening injuries and hospitalized.
It’s unclear what Bushnell aimed to achieve with this act. However, it appears to stem from psychological issues, as such actions are not typical of mentally stable individuals.
Additionally, his protest seems illogical as Israel did not initiate the conflict in Gaza; it was Hamas.
