Protester Sets Self on Fire Outside Israeli Consulate

A protester set themselves on fire outside the Israeli Consulate General building in Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday as tensions in the U.S. grow amid the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The protester suffered 100-degree burns and is in critical condition after setting themselves on fire outside the building, which also houses several businesses, at around 12:39 p.m. Friday. A security guard was also injured, with burns to his wrist and leg while attempting to stop the demonstrator.

Both were both transferred to a nearby hospital for treatment. The current condition of the security guard is unknown.

Authorities believe the act was not connected to terrorism, but rather likely "an act of extreme political protest," adding that a Palestinian flag was recovered from the scene.

The identity of the protester and the message they intended to send was also unknown at the time of publication. However, it comes as protests erupt over the treatment of Palestinian civilians as the Israeli military targets members of Hamas in Gaza.

On October 7, Hamas led the deadliest Palestinian militant attack on Israel in history. Israel subsequently launched its heaviest-ever airstrikes on Gaza. Israeli officials have said that 1,200 people in Israel were killed in Hamas' attack, according to the Associated Press, while over 13,300 Palestinians have been killed, officials from the health ministry in Gaza said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country is "at war" and has cut off supplies of food, fuel, electricity and medicine to Gaza. Protests calling for a ceasefire in Gaza have occurred in several major cities in the U.S. since Israel's subsequent bombardment in the region following Hamas' surprise attack.

"This department is aware of the tensions that are present right now in the Jewish community and in the Muslim community," Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said at a press conference.

Schierbaum said the department has been patrolling the Consulate and other places with Jewish and Muslim communities in the city.

"We continue to ensure that everyone's protected in Atlanta, Georgia, regardless of religion, regardless of their heritage, regardless of their nationality," he said.

This is an ongoing joint investigation with the Atlanta Police Department (APD) and Atlanta Fire and Rescue Department (AFRD).

FBI Atlanta told Newsweek via email that they are "aware of the incident and is coordinating with local law enforcement."

Newsweek reached out via email to APD for further updates and the Consulate for comment Friday afternoon.