A protester was in critical condition Friday after setting themself on fire outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta, authorities said. A security guard who tried to intervene was also injured. A Palestinian flag found at the scene was part of the protest, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said at a news conference.
Quick Read
- Self-Immolation Incident in Atlanta: A protester critically injured themselves by setting fire outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta. A security guard attempting to intervene also sustained injuries.
- Palestinian Flag at the Scene: Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum noted that a Palestinian flag found at the scene was part of the protest.
- No Terrorism Link: Investigators do not believe the incident is connected to terrorism, and there was no threat to consular staff.
- Protester’s Condition and Identity: The protester is in critical condition with body burns. Authorities have not released their name, age, or gender. Gasoline was used as an accelerant in the incident.
- Increased Security Measures: In response to heightened tensions, Atlanta police have increased patrols at certain locations, including the Israeli consulate.
- Context of Demonstrations: The incident occurred amid widespread demonstrations in the U.S., with escalating tensions due to the rising death toll in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
- Background of the Israel-Hamas War: The conflict, which began with an attack by Hamas and other militants on October 7, has resulted in about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, killed in southern Israel, and around 240 people taken captive. Over 13,300 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli assaults, as reported by the Health Ministry in Gaza.
- Collapse of Cease-Fire: A week-long cease-fire, facilitating the exchange of hostages and prisoners between Hamas and Israel, collapsed, leading to the resumption of fighting.
The Associated Press has the story:
Protester critically injured after setting self on fire outside Israeli consulate in Atlanta
Newslooks- ATLANTA (AP)
A protester was in critical condition Friday after setting themself on fire outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta, authorities said. A security guard who tried to intervene was also injured.
A Palestinian flag found at the scene was part of the protest, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said at a news conference.
He added that investigators did not believe there was any connection to terrorism and none of the consular staff was ever in danger.
“We do not see any threat here,” he said. “We believe it was an act of extreme political protest that occurred.”
Authorities did not release the protester’s name, age or gender. The person set up outside the building in the city’s midtown neighborhood on Friday afternoon and used gasoline as an accelerant, Atlanta Fire Chief Roderick Smith said.
The protester was in critical condition, with burn injuries to the body. A security guard that tried to stop the person was burned on his wrist and leg, Smith said.
Schierbaum said police are aware of heightened tensions in the Jewish and Muslim community and have stepped up patrols at certain locations, including the consulate.
Demonstrations have been widespread and tensions in the U.S. have escalated as the death toll rises in the Israel-Hamas war.
The conflict began after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and other militants, who killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in southern Israel and took around 240 people captive. More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed by Israel’s assault, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza.
A weeklong cease-fire that brought the exchanges of dozens of hostages held by Hamas for scores of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel gave way Friday morning to resumed fighting between Israel and Hamas.
