The terror group Hamas released a statement celebrating the self-immolation of U.S airman Aaron Bushnell and blamed his suicidal act of protest on the Biden administration.
Bushnell will “remain immortal,” said the terrorist group responsible for the massacre, rape, and mutilation of 1,200 Israeli civilians.
“The administration of US President (Joe) Biden bears full responsibility for the death of US Army pilot Aaron Bushnell due to its policy that supported the Nazi Zionist entity in its war of extermination against our Palestinian people, as he gave his life in order to shed light on the Zionist massacres and ethnic cleansing against our people in the Gaza Strip,” Hamas said in a statement.
The 25-year-old Air Force engineer doused himself in accelerant and lit himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy on Sunday to “engage in an extreme act of protest,” he said on a live-streamed video minutes before the incident occurred. Bushnell would “no longer be complicit in genocide,” he added, referring to U.S. efforts to aid Israel in its counteroffensive against Hamas.
“Compared to what people have been experiencing in Palestine at the hands of their colonizers, it’s not extreme at all,” he said. “This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal.”
Bushnell died screaming “Free Palestine.”
Anti-Israel personalities and groups have echoed Hamas in praising Bushnell for his “bravery” and “courage” in standing up against Israel, including philosopher and third-party presidential hopeful, Cornel West.
“Let us never forget the extraordinary courage and commitment of brother Aaron Bushnell who died for truth and justice!” West said on Monday. “I pray for his precious loved ones! Let us rededicate ourselves to genuine solidarity with Palestinians undergoing genocidal attacks in real time!”
New York Times writer Wajahat Ali disputed claims that Bushnell’s suicidal behavior was a result of mental illness.
“There is no evidence Aaron Bushnell was suffering from mental illness,” he said. “He was very clear about his reason for self immolation, the most extreme form oof protest against what he believes is an ongoing genocide against Palestinians by Israel.”
Green Party candidate Jill Stein said that she hoped Bushnell’s “sacrifice” would “deepen our commitment to stop genocide now” and Senator Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) called Bushnell’s death a “terrible tragedy” that “speaks to the depths of despair that so many people are feeling now about the horrific humanitarian disaster taking place in Gaza, and I share those deep concerns . . . children are starving. People are dying—29,000 Palestinians have died, two-thirds of them women and children. The United States has got to stand up to Netanyahu and make sure this does not continue.”
Pro-Palestinian politicians and activists claim that the U.S. participates in “genocide” by adding Israel in its war efforts. The U.S. has denied this claim, and has urged Israel to minimize civilian deaths in Gaza as the country continues its counter-attack against Hamas. Israel must eliminate all Hamas leadership to ensure a safe existence for Israelis, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said.
Nevertheless, many activists disparage Israel’s campaign against Hamas as a campaign against Palestinian civilians, many of whom have been tragically wounded or killed in the civilian centers where Hamas operatives hide.
English musician and Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters, who was dropped by the music rights agency BMG over his controversial opinions on Israel, called Bushnell an “All American Hero” on X.
Dozens of anti-Israel individuals also gathered in front of the Israeli embassy on Monday with signs that read “Rest in Power Aaron” and “Collectively in Mourning.” One message read, “Dear Aaron, I rode a bus by the Zionist embassy yesterday. I saw your act of solidarity for Palestine and I am ashamed to say I didn’t even realize what I was looking at until hours later. I am sorry for my ignorance and your loss but I am grateful for your strength.”
“It is tragic that Aaron felt like he had to make the sacrifice. And that is on President Biden,” one vigil-goer, progressive activist Kesh Ladduwahetty, said.
Biden said this week that the U.S. hopes for a cease-fire in Gaza “by next Monday.” Negotiators are working on a deal that could result in a six-week pause in fighting and a release of about 40 hostages, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Israeli officials told the Associated Press on Tuesday that cease-fire negotiations have been muddied by Hamas’s “excessive demands,” one of which is reportedly a permanent cease-fire.