WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — 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 help convoy in Gaza, Flickinger knew what he needed to say.
The grieving father advised Secretary of State Antony Blinken the killings by Israel within the Hamas-run territory should finish, and that america 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, was among the many seven humanitarian employees killed within the April 1 drone strikes.
“If america threatened to droop help to Israel, possibly my son could be alive as we speak,” John Flickinger advised The Related Press in describing his 30-minute dialog Saturday with Blinken.
Flickinger stated Blinken didn’t pledge any new coverage actions however stated the Biden administration had despatched a robust message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the connection between america and Israel could change if the Israeli Protection Forces don’t present extra take care of the destiny of civilians in Gaza.
“I’m hopeful that that is the final straw, that america will droop help and can take significant motion to leverage change in the best way Israel is conducting this conflict,” John Flickinger stated.
Flickinger stated Blinken additionally spoke along with his son’s companion, 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 have been killed within the strikes.
John Flickinger described his son as “bigger than life,” a “loving son, a faithful dad and new father and a really loving companion to his life companion.”
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 stated 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 cherished, which was serving and serving to others,” stated Flickinger, whose personal nonprofit, Breakthrough Miami, exposes underrepresented college students to educational alternatives and prepares them for faculty.
World Central Kitchen representatives have stated 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 stated it dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others for his or her roles. The officers mishandled essential data and violated guidelines of engagement, the army stated.
However John Flickinger stated that in his view the strike “was a deliberate try to intimidate help employees and to cease the circulate of humanitarian help.”
World Central Kitchen has since ceased meals deliveries in Gaza, Flickinger famous, and he stated 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 province to be nearer to household, Flickinger stated.
Flickinger stated his son’s stays are in Cairo pending the issuance of a loss of life certificates by Palestinian authorities. As soon as that occurs, the household has made preparations for them to be transported to Quebec.
