John Flickinger, a grieving father, expressed his frustration to Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the killing of his son, Jacob Flickinger, in the Israeli airstrikes on a World Central Kitchen aid convoy in Gaza. Flickinger urged the United States to use its power and influence to pressure Israel to end the killings. He suggested that threatening to suspend aid to Israel may have prevented his son’s death. Although Blinken did not promise any new policy actions, he indicated that the Biden administration had conveyed a strong message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the need for the Israeli Defense Forces to show more care for civilians in Gaza.
Jacob Flickinger, a dual U.S. and Canadian citizen, was among the seven humanitarian workers killed in the drone strikes on April 1. Apart from Flickinger, the victims included individuals from the UK, Australia, Poland, and Palestine. John Flickinger described his son as a compassionate individual who was passionate about serving others. Jacob had spent 11 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, including a deployment in Afghanistan. Despite the risks, he volunteered to go to Gaza to assist Palestinians facing a looming food crisis.
The Israeli military has acknowledged the drone strikes as a mistake and took disciplinary action against several officers. However, John Flickinger believes that the attack was a deliberate attempt to intimidate aid workers and disrupt the flow of humanitarian assistance. World Central Kitchen, the organization Jacob Flickinger was working with, has ceased its food deliveries in Gaza in response to the incident. Flickinger criticized Israel for potentially using food as a weapon in this conflict. The Canadian government has been in contact with the Flickinger family and is providing financial assistance to relocate Jacob’s partner, Sandy Leclerc, and their son back to Quebec.
The grief-stricken father described his son as “larger than life” and a dedicated father and partner. Jacob Flickinger’s passion for the outdoors and commitment to helping others were evident in his work and personal endeavors. John Flickinger, who runs his own nonprofit organization in Miami, highlighted the importance of serving and assisting others, a value he instilled in his son. He expressed hope that Jacob’s tragic death would prompt the United States to take meaningful action and reconsider its relationship with Israel if civilian casualties continue.
The Canadian Press reported on John Flickinger’s conversation with Secretary Blinken and his thoughts on the situation in Gaza. Blinken also spoke with Sandy Leclerc, Jacob’s partner, who is now caring for their 1-year-old son. The family is awaiting the issuance of a death certificate by Palestinian authorities in order to transport Jacob’s remains back to Quebec. Despite the devastating loss, John Flickinger found solace in the fact that his son died while fulfilling his passion for serving others. He hoped that this incident would lead to a reevaluation of aid policies and practices in conflict zones like Gaza. In the aftermath of Jacob’s death, his family, friends, and colleagues are mourning the loss of a beloved individual who dedicated his life to helping those in need.
