When America’s prime diplomat known as with condolences over the killing of John Flickinger’s son within the Israeli airstrikes on a World Central Kitchen support convoy in Gaza, Flickinger knew what he wished to say.
The grieving father advised Secretary of State Antony Blinken the killings by Israel within the Hamas-run territory should finish, and that the US wants to make use of its energy and leverage over its closest Mideast ally to make that occur.
Flickinger’s 33-year-old son, Jacob Flickinger, a twin U.S. and Canadian citizen from Quebec, was among the many seven humanitarian employees killed within the April 1 drone strikes.
“If the US threatened to droop support to Israel, perhaps my son could be alive at this time,” John Flickinger advised The Related Press in describing his 30-minute dialog Saturday with Blinken.
Flickinger mentioned Blinken didn’t pledge any new coverage actions however mentioned the Biden administration had despatched a robust message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the connection between the US and Israel might change if the Israeli Protection Forces don’t present extra look after the destiny of civilians in Gaza.
“I’m hopeful that that is the final straw, that the US will droop support and can take significant motion to leverage change in the best way Israel is conducting this conflict,” John Flickinger mentioned.
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Flickinger mentioned Blinken additionally spoke together with his son’s accomplice, Sandy Leclerc, who’s left to care for his or her 1-year-old son, Jasper.
Along with Jacob Flickinger, three British nationals, an Australian, a Polish nationwide and a Palestinian had been killed within the strikes.
John Flickinger described his son as “bigger than life,” a “loving son, a loyal dad and new father and a really loving companion to his life accomplice.”
Jacob Flickinger was remembered as a lover of the outside who ran survival coaching retreats and was concerned in mountaineering, mountaineering and different journey actions. He spent about 11 years serving within the Canadian Armed Forces, together with eight months in Afghanistan.
The elder Flickinger mentioned his son knew going to Gaza was dangerous, however he mentioned it with relations and volunteered in hopes of serving to Palestinians in Gaza that aide teams say face imminent famine.
“He died doing what he liked, which was serving and serving to others,” mentioned Flickinger, whose personal nonprofit, Breakthrough Miami, exposes underrepresented college students to tutorial alternatives and prepares them for faculty.
World Central Kitchen representatives have mentioned they knowledgeable the Israeli army of their actions and the presence of their convoy.
Israeli officers have known as the drone strikes a mistake, and on Friday the army mentioned it dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others for his or her roles. The officers mishandled vital data and violated guidelines of engagement, the army mentioned.
However John Flickinger mentioned that in his view the strike “was a deliberate try to intimidate support employees and to cease the circulation of humanitarian support.”
World Central Kitchen has since ceased meals deliveries in Gaza, Flickinger famous, and he mentioned it seems to be like Israel is “utilizing meals as a weapon.”
The Canadian authorities has been speaking with the household and is providing monetary help to maneuver Leclerc and Jasper from Costa Rica, the place the household lives, again to Quebec to be nearer to household, Flickinger mentioned.
Flickinger mentioned his son’s stays are in Cairo pending the issuance of a demise certificates by Palestinian authorities. As soon as that occurs, the household has made preparations for them to be transported to the province.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
