In a shocking incident outside the White House, an anti-Israel protester reportedly set himself on fire, drawing significant attention as a video of the event went viral. The protest occurred on the evening of October 5, coinciding with demonstrations demanding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, marking the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attack on Israel.
The alarming scene unfolded in the 800 block of 16th Street, where the man was seen igniting his left arm. Eyewitnesses captured footage of the protester yelling in pain while holding his arm aloft, engulfed in flames. Bystanders, alongside officers from the DC Metropolitan Police, rushed to his aid, using water and towels to extinguish the fire.
A self immolation attempt at the Washington DC anti Israel protest.
متظاهر يحاول إحراق نفسه في العاصمة واشنطن في مظاهرة ضد العدوان الاسرائيلي pic.twitter.com/zlrs1Booyt— Tarek Abou Ghazala (@tarekmd) October 5, 2024
Once the flames were out, the man was restrained by police, visibly distressed and claiming to be a journalist. Clips showed him with superficial burns on his arm, while his shirt was burned and drenched in a pink liquid. He was heard shouting, “We spread the misinformation,” and expressing that he believed his actions were justified as a journalist.
Emergency services, including DC Fire and EMS, quickly responded to the scene. The man was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police reports. A witness was seen pouring water from a bottle over the protester’s burns in a bid to provide immediate relief.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police Department highlighted their commitment to managing protests and maintaining public safety. “The District of Columbia has a long and proud history of peaceful First Amendment activities,” the department noted. “We will continue to support those who choose to protest peacefully and safely, and we will hold accountable those who commit criminal acts while in our city.”
The protest took place as demonstrators gathered near the White House to express their grievances and call for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. The dramatic turn of events underscores the intense emotions surrounding the situation and the lengths some individuals are willing to go to draw attention to their cause.
