WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — America’s top diplomat offers condolences by phone after his son was killed in an Israeli airstrike that hit a World Central Kitchen convoy delivering aid in the Gaza Strip. John Flickinger knew what he meant.
A grieving father told Secretary of State Antony Blinken that Israeli killings in Hamas-controlled areas must end, and that to make that happen the United States must use its power to attack its closest ally in the Middle East. He said he needed to use his influence.
Flickinger’s 33-year-old son, Jacob Flickinger, a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, was one of seven humanitarian workers killed in the April 1 drone strike.
“If the United States had threatened to cut aid to Israel, my son would probably still be alive today,” John Flickinger told The Associated Press of his 30-minute conversation with Blinken on Saturday. Told.
Flickinger said Blinken was not promising any new policy action, but the Biden administration warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that if the IDF does not pay more attention to its future fate, the U.S. and Israel will It sent a strong message that the relationship between the two countries may change. civilians in Gaza.
John Flickinger said, “We hope this is the last straw and that the United States takes meaningful action to halt aid and take advantage of Israel’s change in the way it conducts this war.” Ta.
Flickinger said Blinken also spoke with his son’s partner, Sandy Leclerc, who is responsible for caring for their 1-year-old son, Jasper.
In addition to Jacob Flickinger, three British nationals, an Australian, a Pole and a Palestinian were killed in the airstrike.
John Flickinger described his son as “larger than life” and “a loving son, devoted father, new father and a very loving companion to his life partner.” Stated.
Jacob Flickinger is remembered as an outdoor enthusiast who hosted survival training camps and participated in mountaineering, rock climbing, and other adventure activities.
He served in the Canadian Armed Forces for approximately 11 years, including eight months in Afghanistan.
The elder Flickinger said his son knew it was dangerous to go to Gaza, but after talking with his family, he decided he wanted to help Palestinians in Gaza, where aid groups say starvation is imminent. He said he participated as a volunteer.
“He died doing what he loved, serving and helping others,” Flickinger said. His nonprofit, Breakthrough Miami, provides academic opportunities to underrepresented students and prepares them for college.
Representatives from World Central Kitchen said they had informed the Israeli military of their movements and the presence of the convoy.
Israeli authorities say the drone strike was a mistake, and the military announced Friday that it had dismissed two officers and disciplined three others for their roles.
The military said the officers mishandled vital information and violated rules of engagement.
But John Flickinger said that in his view the strike was “a deliberate attempt to intimidate aid workers and stop the flow of humanitarian aid”.
Flickinger said World Central Kitchen has since stopped delivering food in the Gaza Strip and that Israel appears to be “using food as a weapon.”
Flickinger said the Canadian government has been in contact with the family and is offering financial assistance to bring Leclerc and Jasper back to Quebec from Costa Rica, where they live near family.
Flickinger said his son’s body was in Cairo pending the issuance of a death certificate by the Palestinian authorities.
Once that happened, the family made arrangements to transport them to Quebec.
