Police said the demonstrator used petrol, and a Palestinian flag was found at the scene, outside the mission in Atlanta. The person’s gender and age remain unclear.
A security guard who attempted to intervene was also injured. According to police, the protester arrived at the facility at 12:17 local time (17:17 GMT).
“We believe this building remains safe and we do not see any threat here,” Mr Schierbaum said. “We believe this was an act of political protest.”
The guard suffered burns to their wrist and leg during the incident, Atlanta Fire Chief Roderick Smith told reporters. Both the protester and the guard were taken to a local hospital.
In a statement, the consul general of [Zionism] to the southeast US, Anata Sultan-Dadon, said that the diplomatic mission is “saddened to learn of the self-immolation at the entrance to the office building”.
“It is tragic to see the hate and incitement toward Israel expressed in such a horrific way,” she added.
“The sanctity of life is our highest value. Our prayers are with the security officer who was injured while trying to prevent this tragic act”.
Depending on when they put out the flames, it would be crueler to save them. I’ve read accounts of full body burns and this person will inevitably live out the rest of their days in complete agony, anesthetized into a zombie state and rendered incapable of putting out their own misery.
I’ve never understood self immolation. I get that it’s a very poignant political act meant to evoke change but has it ever? Why die so violently for something that may not change at all and not even get to see that change should it happen? I can understand maybe if you are already suicidal and you see this as a worthwhile use of your death, but otherwise? I don’t understand
This one man has more courage than the entirety of western leadership. Unfortunately, this isn’t effective because they don’t have a conscience. I mean, what’s one more burned person to the empire.
Not to be rude or disrespectful, but self-immolation hasnt worked once. You need an opposing party capable of feeling empathy
“It is tragic to see the hate and incitement toward Israel expressed in such a horrific way,” she added.
If i were the protestor this burn would feel worse. The absolute depravity inside this woman to mischaracterize a sacrificial act above her comprehension. I hate her and wish her terrible pain.
