Outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday afternoon, a protester dressed in the Palestinian flag set herself on fire. What the authorities describe as “probably an extreme act of political protest” resulted in the woman suffering significant injuries.
The woman carried a Palestinian flag as she approached the consulate. According to police chief Darin Schierbaum, she then wrapped it around herself and started setting herself on fire, as reported by The Daily Beast.
Schierbaum continued, saying that a security guard attempted to stop the woman but was hurt in the process. Then the fire was put out, and the woman was taken to the neighboring Grady Memorial Hospital with severe burns and in critical condition.
Schierbaum revealed that the incident was probably a form of protest against the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which resumed on Friday following a week-long ceasefire, rather than an act of terror.
Israel’s general consul in the Southeast United States, Anat Sultan-Dadon, issued a statement denouncing the demonstrator.
“It is tragic to see the hate and incitement towards Israel expressed in such a horrific way. 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,” he added.
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