US soldier commits self-immolation in protest for Gaza
On Feb. 25, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., outside of Washington, DC’s Israeli Embassy, 25-year-old Aaron Bushnell committed self-immolation as an extreme act of protest against the treatment of the citizens in Gaza. Bushnell live-streamed this act on Twitch—an online video-sharing service. The footage documented the Bushnell walking up to the gates of the building, explaining that he would “no longer be complicit in Genocide,” before continuing to speak, dousing himself in lighter fluid as he did so, then lighting himself on fire. This act has gone viral online, not only for its extreme nature, but for the light it shines on the issue at hand: As Bushnell put it, “I am about to engage in an extreme act of protest. But compared to what people have been experiencing in Palestine at the hands of their colonizers, it’s not extreme at all. This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal.”
For those who may be unaware, Bushnell’s actions are a direct response to the nearly five-month-old military bombardment of the Gaza Strip. Since this conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, 1,200 Israeli people have been killed in a singular attack while over 30,000 Palestinian people have perished in a continual bombing campaign of the densely populated, suburban area. Over these last months, hundreds of individuals have been displaced, their lives have been catapulted into chaos, and even the most necessities like food, water, shelter, and clean clothing have become scarce. There have been several calls for a ceasefire on an international scale—all of which are temporary or were vetoed by the United States or the United Kingdom—and 48 U.S. cities have called for a ceasefire order instead of continuing to veto.
According to CNN reports, Bushnell was an actively serving member of the U.S. Air Force who “was a cyber defense operations specialist assigned to the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Wing. He served with the 531st Intelligence Support Squadron and had been on active duty since May 2020….” Like many citizens within the United States, this soldier felt the true weight of the situation overseas and, in a despairing act of protest, displayed to the mainstream media the absolute necessity of a ceasefire. Many people have taken to social media since the live-stream went online, commenting on the desperation of the act and stating that we have to do better and end the conflict now—specifically—that we can’t allow this “tragic act of defiance” to go unnoticed.
Not only this, but many people are commenting on the police officers recorded during this video who approached a gasoline-doused Bushnell, let him set himself ablaze, drew their weapons, and then kept them drawn on him until his dying breath. The most widely talked about aspect regarding this is the man’s anguish in these moments was his mantra. Bushnell continued to shout out “Free Palestine” until his body could no longer bear the brunt of the flames. Nearly two minutes later, surrounding officials finally moved in to put him out.
Bushnell’s act highlighted the sadness of the current situation in Gaza, specifically the necessity for an intercession on an international level. It may be important to stay informed on this issue which could shape the future of international relations.
Thumbnail Photo courtesy of Lamron Photo Editor FP Zatlukal