Israel’s consul general to the US’s southeast accused a protester who set themselves on fire outside Israel’s consulate in Atlanta, Georgia, of acting out of hatred for Israel, Al Jazeera reports.

The self-immolation at the Israeli consulate, where a Palestinian flag was recovered, was described as “an extreme act of political protest” by a senior police official, who said the incident did not involve “any threat”.

The protester is in critical condition.

Responding to the incident, Anat Sultan-Dadon, consul general of Israel to the southeastern US, said she was “saddened to learn of the self-immolation”.

“It is tragic to see the hate and incitement toward Israel expressed in such a horrific way,” she told ABC News. “Our prayers are with the security officer who was injured while trying to prevent this tragic act,” she added.