The Self-Immolation of Aaron Bushnell - A Brave Act of Desperation
Photo Courtesy: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District
On Sunday the 25th of February, Aaron Bushnell; a 25 year-old active duty member of the US air-force, self-immolated outside the Israeli embassy in Washington DC to protest the conflict in Gaza. Before setting himself alight, he began a livestream and stated he would “no longer be complicit in genocide” and that he was about to “engage in an extreme form of protest”.
Controversy erupted surrounding Busnhell’s self-immolation. His sacrifice for the Palestinian cause has been applauded by some. The theologian and presidential candidate Cornel West praised Bushnell for his “extraordinary courage and commitment”. Activist Aya Hijazi called him a “hero and martyr” and stated that his suicide is a “wake-up call”.
Others have been quick to imply that Bushnell was simply a victim of a “mental-health crisis” potentially as a means of discrediting him and the cause he died for. Although in some cases, psychiatric disorders are the reasons for self-immolations, clearly this is not always the case. Similarly, although religious orientation has been used as an explanation for why self-immolation has been more popular in Hindu countries like India, this does not account for Bushnell's situation. Some have tried to argue that his upbringing in the Christian group; “Community of Jesus” can account for his dramatic death. This however is merely speculation. His religious orientation remains uncertain and within the most Christian sects, any form of suicide, regardless of the cause, is considered a grave sin.
There has long been a political dimension to the act of self-immolation and it should not be swept aside simply as a psychiatric slip or purely the activity of religious fanatics. That would dishonour Bushnell. His political motivation is demonstrated by his pre-prepared speech, contact with the media in advance, and live streaming of the event on social media, compelling the general public and those in power to act and prevent further onslaught in Gaza.
However, the reality of self-immolation is grim and we must avoid glorification. Bushnell’s decision to light himself on fire is brave, selfless and unimaginable for many. However, it is also an act of desperation for those in positions of power to listen.
Similarly desperate was Mohamed Bouazizi, a street vendor who lit himself alight in Tunisia in response to corruption and the daily humiliation he experienced at the hands of authorities in his home country. Although it’s true that Bouazizi’s self-immolation was the catalyst for the wider democratic, regional revolt; the Arab spring, he himself did not reap the rewards and succumbed to his injuries two weeks later in hospital.
Similarly, more recent self-immolations, like that of climate activists in the US like David Buckel (2018) and Wynn Bruce (2022), demonstrate a sentiment of hopelessness. That despite their best efforts, people are not listening. Even their own painful passings failed to generate immediate mass mobilisation and drastic changes in environmental policy.
Hence, self-immolation is a multifaceted issue. It can be a legitimate form of protest and the political motivations of Bushnell’s actions should not be ignored. Nevertheless, it must also be recognised that Bushnell suffered a drawn-out and extremely painful death, something we should not encourage among political activists, in spite of the desperation felt by those campaigning.
All we can ask is that Bushnell’s suffering is not in vain. Since he passed, the death toll in Gaza has risen to 30,534 and WHO have reported that children are starving in Northern Gaza. Nevertheless, there is some hope. Kamala Harris recently challenged Israel for not doing enough to prevent the “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza whilst calling for an immediate ceasefire during a speech in Selma, Alabama, marking a positive shift in the positions of senior American politicians towards the war since its eruption.
Bushnell’s both horrific and brave act marks the second self-immolation to occur in the name of the Israel-Palestine conflict within the US. The first case was a woman who lit herself alight outside the Israeli Consulate in Atlanta. Let’s hope their government is beginning to respond to them. May they both rest in peace and power.