WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — When America’s prime diplomat known as to supply condolences over the killing of his son within the Israeli airstrikes that hit a World Central Kitchen convoy delivering assist in Gaza, John Flickinger knew what he wished to say.
The grieving father advised Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the killings by Israel within the Hamas-run territory should finish, and that the USA 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 US and Canadian citizen, was among the many seven humanitarian employees killed within the April 1 drone strikes.
“If the USA threatened to droop assist to Israel, possibly my son can be alive in the present day,” 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 powerful message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the connection between the USA and Israel could change if the Israeli Protection Forces don’t present extra take care of the destiny of Gaza’s civilians.
“I’m hopeful that that is the final straw, that the USA will droop assist and can take significant motion to leverage change in the best way Israel is conducting this warfare,” John Flickinger mentioned.
Flickinger mentioned Blinken additionally spoke with his son’s associate, 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 associate.”
Jacob Flickinger was remembered as a lover of the outside who ran survival coaching retreats and was concerned in mountaineering, mountain climbing 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 cherished, 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 navy of their actions and the presence of their convoy.
Israeli officers have known as the drone strikes a mistake, and on Friday the navy mentioned it dismissed two officers and reprimanded three others for his or her roles.
The officers mishandled essential info and violated guidelines of engagement, the navy mentioned.
However John Flickinger mentioned that in his view the strike “was a deliberate try and intimidate assist employees and to cease the circulation of humanitarian assist.”
World Central Kitchen has since ceased meals deliveries in Gaza, Flickinger famous, and he mentioned it seems 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 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 Quebec.
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