Aaron Bushnell Called a 'Hero' for Pro-Palestinian Self-Immolation

Aaron Bushnell has been called a "hero" after he set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., in protest of Israel's war in Gaza.

Bushnell, an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force, repeatedly yelled "free Palestine" as he set himself alight in what he called an "extreme" act of protest on Sunday. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and later died, a spokesperson for the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) previously told Newsweek via email.

Israel declared war against Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, after its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Around 1,200 people were killed in the surprise attack, while about 250 were taken hostage, according to figures reported by the Associated Press. The United States has largely supported Israel amid the conflict, but critics raised concerns about the death toll among civilians in Gaza.

Gaza's Health Ministry says up to 30,000 people, including 12,300 children, have died in the territory since October 7, according to the AP. Humanitarian concerns about these civilians have drawn calls for a ceasefire and protests across the U.S. The conflict has also become a point of contention for President Joe Biden heading into the November election as critics urge him to call for a ceasefire and add more pressure to Israel to prevent civilian deaths.

As the world grapples with Bushnell's self-immolation, many took to social media to post their thoughts. Many who support Palestinians described him as a "hero" and paid tribute to him. Meanwhile, others cautioned that self-immolation should not be a celebrated form of political protest, warning about the possibility of "copycat acts" that could follow.

"Absolutely heartshattering. May the memory of 25 year old Aaron Bushnell be a blessing. May his sacrifice be a call to action for those with the ability to do something and a haunting reminder for those who refuse to change course," human rights lawyer Mai El-Sadany posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday.

"A hero and a martyr. May his death not be in vain. May it be a wake up call where we see the end of the genocide and the start of a free Palestine. RIP Aaron Bushnell," wrote activist Aya Hijazi.

"I feel like I've been picked up and shaken, which I suppose was pretty much what Bushnell was going for. Something to shake the world awake to the reality of what's happening. Something to snap us out of the brainwashed and distracted stupor of western dystopia and turn our gaze to Gaza," journalist Caitlin Johnstone wrote, also adding she would "never recommend" anyone "do what Bushnell did."

"Aaron Bushnell's memory will be honored. His act is extreme like he described it. Yet, it is his noble message that matters. His sacrifice is now part of the sacrifices of the Palestinian people in its struggle for dignity," posted activist and author Dyab Abou Jahjah.

"Rest in power Aaron Bushnell. 'I will no longer be complicit in genocide. Free Palestine!' May his sacrifice deepen our commitment to stop genocide now," posted Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.

Others, however, raised concerns about self-immolation as a form of protest.

"Aaron Bushnell's self-immolation was very possibly exactly what he said it was: 'an act of extreme protest.' The way to discourage copycat acts is to take this one seriously rather than write it off as an act of mental illness. Many people are in distress and feeling powerless," posted X user Leah McElrath.

"I strongly oppose valorizing any form of suicide as a noble, principled, or legitimate form of political protest. People suffering mental illness deserve empathy and respect, but it is wildly irresponsible to praise them for using a political justification to take their own life," posted Slate writer Mark Joseph Stern.

Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment via email on Bushnell's action.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "988" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.