A Life Wasted in Flames: A Shocking Israel Protest
As an Air Force veteran, I was shocked and appalled by the foolish act of theater committed by engineer-turned-anti-Israel protester Aaron Bushnell (“Air Force fiery death,” Feb. 27).
Livestreaming on Twitch, he set himself on fire in front of the Israeli Embassy after proclaiming, “I will no longer be complicit in genocide.”
But the Air Force plays no direct role in the Israeli Defense Force’s war on Hamas. Bushnell, who was identified as an “active duty Air Force officer,” could have made a more meaningful protest by resigning his commission and requesting voluntary separation from the military. Instead, he destroyed himself.
Richard Reif, Queens
The delusional Bushnell reportedly had told a friend he was privy to information that US military personnel were tracking and killing members of Hamas in their own underground tunnels, to assist the Israel Defense Forces.
How many more incidents will it take to convince our military leaders to do a much more thorough job of vetting questionable young recruits who have access to sensitive information?
Charles Winokoor
Fall River, Mass.
The saddest thing about Bushnell’s tragic waste of his own life is that not only will his self-immolation have zero impact on the war in Gaza. His death won’t even be appreciated by those on whose behalf he was presuming martyrdom.
I saw someone post a message of support for him on Twitter/X: “Rest in Power, Aaron Bushnell!” The poster was sternly chastised by her woke followers: “Don’t say that, he doesn’t deserve it, ‘Rest in Power’ isn’t for whites.”
How futile is it that the people you die for only spit on your corpse?
Robert Frazer Lancashire, UK
How pathetic it is that the mourners of Bushnell would use his memorial service as an excuse to burn the Israeli flag. Did anyone — including the victim — mourn the lives lost on Oct. 7?
These mourners are just another group in the long list of people who hate Israel.
Mel Young Boca Raton, Fla.