|
The
person, whom officials did not identify, is in critical
condition, Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said at a news
conference. A security guard who attempted to intervene was also
injured.
"We believe this building remains safe, and we do not see any
threat here," the chief said. "We believe that was an act of
extreme political protest."
The protester arrived around 12:17 p.m. at the office building,
which houses the consulate as well as several businesses, and
used gasoline, police said.
"We are saddened to learn of the self-immolation at the entrance
to the office building," the consul general of Israel to the
southeastern U.S., Anat Sultan-Dadon, told ABC News. "It is
tragic to see the hate and incitement toward Israel expressed in
such a horrific way. The sanctity of life is our highest value."
Israel resumed its military offensive in Gaza on Friday after
talks to extend a week-long truce collapsed.
Israel has vowed to annihilate Hamas after the militant group
attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and
taking 240 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
More than 15,000 Gazans have been killed during Israel's
assault, Palestinian officials say, which has destroyed much of
the enclave.
The conflict has prompted hundreds of protests and rallies
across the U.S., both in support of Palestinians as well as
Israel.
(Reporting by Joseph Ax; Additional reporting by Kanishka Singh,
Jonathan Allen and Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Daniel Wallis and
Bill Berkrot)
[© 2023 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2022 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
