Last words of Airman who set himself on fire at Israel embassy over 'genocide'
An Air Force serviceman's last words were caught on camera seconds before he set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington DC screaming 'Free Palestine' as he died.
Active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force Aaron Bushnell declared he “will no longer be complicit in genocide" before dousing himself in a flammable liquid and torching himself.
Bushnell had walked up to the embassy shortly before 1pm on Sunday and began livestreaming on the video streaming platform Twitch. Law enforcement officials believe the man started a livestream, set his phone down and then doused himself in accelerant and ignited the flames.
READ MORE: US Airman Aaron Bushnell's last Facebook post before setting himself on fire outside Israeli embassy
The serviceman was later identified as Aaron Bushnell (LinkedIn)He said: "My name is Aaron Bushnell. I'm an active duty member of the United States Air Force. And I will no longder be complicit in genocide.
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"I'm about to engage in an extreme act of protest, but compared to what people have been experiencing in Palestine at the hands of their colonisers, it's not extreme at all. This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal."
Aaron Bushnell, shocked the country when he set himself on fire and died in front of the Israeli embassy in a 'protest' (Twitter)
Aaron Bushnell, 25, was an 'aspiring engineer' and seeking to 'transition out of the military' (Twitter)In the video he can be seen walking while holding an open screw-top flask. He puts the camera down and walks a few steps away before dousing himself in the contents of the flask. He then says 'Free Palestine' before trying to spark a lighter.
Another person can be heard asking: "Hi sir, can I help you?" Repeating the question once more before Bushnell manages to ignite the accelerant and himself.
Aaron Bushnell streamed his protest on Twitch (Twitter)As the flames consume him he repeatedly screams "Free Palestine" amid the clear agony. Eventually he falls silent and emergency services can be heard rushing to him calling for a fire extinguisher.
In a statement Monday, the Air Force said, “The individual involved in yesterday’s incident succumbed to his injuries and passed away last night.” The Air Force said it would provide additional information a day after military officials complete notifying his next of kin.
Emergency services fought to extinguish the flames (Twitter)The incident happened as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking cabinet approval for a military operation in the southern Gazan city of Rafah while a temporary cease-fire deal is being negotiated. Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, however, has drawn criticisms, including genocide claims against the Palestinians.
Israel has adamantly denied the genocide allegations and says it is carrying out operations in accordance with international law in the Israel-Hamas war.
Emergency services at the scene (Anadolu via Getty Images)In December, a person self-immolated outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta and used gasoline as an accelerant, according to Atlanta’s fire authorities. A Palestinian flag was found at the scene, and the act was believed to be one of “extreme political protest.”
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