A protester self-immolated on Friday afternoon outside of the Israeli Consulate constructing in Atlanta, in what the police described as “likely an extreme act of political protest.”
A safety guard tried to intervene however was unsuccessful, officers mentioned. The demonstrator sustained third-degree burns to the physique, and the guard was burned on his wrist and leg. Both had been taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, the place the protester was in crucial situation.
Officials didn’t determine the demonstrator, however mentioned in a information convention on Friday that the particular person gave the impression to be performing alone and {that a} Palestinian flag was “recovered at the location and was part of the protest.” The hearth chief, Roderick M. Smith, mentioned there was proof of gasoline getting used as an accelerant.
The metropolis’s police chief, Darin Schierbaum, mentioned that officers didn’t imagine there was “any nexus to terrorism.” The constructing, in the Midtown space of Atlanta, homes the consulate and a number of other different places of work.
“It appears to have been focused outside the building. I’m not aware of an attempt to enter the building,” Chief Schierbaum mentioned, including: “I have met with the consul general. The staff is safe. All the residents of this building are safe.”
The Atlanta F.B.I. mentioned it was conscious of the incident and coordinating with native legislation enforcement. Chief Schierbaum mentioned he was not conscious of any credible threats towards the constructing.
“It is tragic to see the hate and incitement toward Israel expressed in such a horrific way,” Anat Sultan-Dadon, consul common of Israel to the Southeastern United States, mentioned in a press release on Friday. “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.”
