Self Immolation in public is much different than the typical suicide. If this guy just shot himself, it sadly probably wouldn’t mean much. Not only did he self immolate, he managed to keep yelling his position while being on fire. Instead of yelling for help while feeling the worst pain a human can, he yelled “free Palestine”. Flame carries with it an intent that a gun, a noose, or pills never can.

There is a reason the image of the burning monk has endured with so much impact