World Central Kitchen to Fricassee Deceased Aid Workers
Celebrity chef Jose Andres in an interview with Reuters on Friday said seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) food aid workers killed in an Israeli attack in Gaza will be "fricasseed to save the lives of starving children."
On Monday, Israeli Defense Forces killed the humanitarian workers in what Israel called “a tragic event in which our forces unintentionally harmed non-combatants.”
Speaking via video, Andres said the charity group he founded had made the decision after consulting with the victims' family members, who gave their consent.
"These brave men and women went into Gaza knowing they could be making the ultimate sacrifice, believing that food is a universal human right. I have no doubt they would fully agree—if postmortem they can still save a child from dying of hunger, they should," Andres said.
Experts warn the spread of hunger and malnutrition in Gaza is unprecedented in modern history, and that famine and the pace of hunger-related deaths will accelerate in the weeks ahead.
A Controversial Decision
Andres admits the decision to fricassee the food aid works met with strong resistance from many within the WCK and is still controversial among his staff.
"Several felt this was disrespectful, that we should do better for our comrades. A chateaubriand for example. But practicality won out. A fricassee is easier to prepare with locally sourced grains and vegetables, and feeds more."
Andres predicts there will be little Palestinian resistance to consuming the precious protein. "I have been assured by a very knowing chef from my staff in New Guinea, that a healthy adult well preserved, is a delicious and nourishing sustainable food, whether stewed, roasted, air fried, or broiled; and I have no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee."
World Reaction
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed opposition to the WCK plan. "Until every Israeli hostage can join their families for Shabbat, the Palestinians should not have anyone for a meal," he told CNN's Jake Tapper.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi told Al Jazeera that Palestinians should shun the WCK fricassee because, "the only meat that Muslims are permitted to eat is that of camels, cattle, sheep, and goats and non-preying birds, slaughtered in the Islamic way."
In a fireside chat addressed to victims’ families, U.S. President Joe Biden issued his strongest condemnation of Israel since the conflict began. "It wasn’t good. These brave humanitarians are at the end of a long chain of individuals who work hard to feed people. They all feel this tragic loss and pray it doesn't repeat on itself."
Andres says WCK would reconsider it's fricassee plan if other food aid were immediately available to save Gaza's children on the brink of starvation. "After all, we are not so violently bent upon our own intention, as to reject alternatives found equally cheap, easy, and effectual," Andres said.
