Father of killed Canadian aid worker urges Blinken for a tougher U.S. stance on Israel in Gaza | 24CA News
When America’s prime diplomat referred to 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 instructed Secretary of State Antony Blinken the killings by Israel within the Hamas-run territory should finish, and that the United States 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 United States threatened to suspend aid to Israel, maybe my son would be alive today,” John Flickinger instructed The Associated 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 United States and Israel might change if the Israeli Defense Forces don’t present extra take care of the destiny of civilians in Gaza.
“I’m hopeful that this is the last straw, that the United States will suspend aid and will take meaningful action to leverage change in the way Israel is conducting this war,” John Flickinger mentioned.
Flickinger mentioned Blinken additionally spoke together with his son’s associate, Sandy Leclerc, who’s left to care for his or her 1-year-old son, Jasper.
In addition to 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 “larger than life,” a “loving son, a devoted dad and new father and a very loving companion to his life partner.”
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 members of the family and volunteered in hopes of serving to Palestinians in Gaza that aide teams say face imminent famine.
“He died doing what he loved, which was serving and helping others,” mentioned Flickinger, whose personal nonprofit, Breakthrough Miami, exposes underrepresented college students to educational alternatives and prepares them for school.
World Central Kitchen representatives have mentioned they knowledgeable the Israeli army of their actions and the presence of their convoy.
Israeli officers have referred to 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 info and violated guidelines of engagement, the army mentioned.
But John Flickinger mentioned that in his view the strike “was a deliberate attempt to intimidate aid workers and to stop the flow of humanitarian aid.”
World Central Kitchen has since ceased meals deliveries in Gaza, Flickinger famous, and he mentioned it seems to be like Israel is “using food as a weapon.”
The Canadian authorities has been speaking with the household and is providing monetary assist 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. Once that occurs, the household has made preparations for them to be transported to the province.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
