Activist on Hunger Strike in Israeli Jail for attempting "peace" talks

international | anti-war / imperialism | news report Monday June 14, 2004 17:54 by Kate Holcombe - P10K (Palestine 10,000) KtHolcombe at aol dot com 0774 8015601

Irish American political activist Ken O'Keefe is on hunger strike in an
Israeli jail whilst fighting deportation after being arrested for
attempting to enter Gaza on Thursday.

Last year, the former US Marine
and Gulf War veteran returned to Iraq with more than 500 Human Shields.
After entering Gaza via a settlement, he was detained by 10 Israeli
soldiers whilst walking along the beach into the Palestinian area.

O'Keefe wished to strengthen his contact with Palestinian militant
groups Islamic Jihad and Hamas, and personally discuss with leaders in
Gaza his P10K plan to bring 10,000 western citizens to act as
international observers in the Palestinian Occupied Territories.

As part of P10K – Palestine 10,000 - O'Keefe wishes to secure an
"Agreement in Principle" from Palestinian militant factions which would
see an end to their operations inside Israel contingent upon the
arrival of the 10,000 strong "P10K FORCE". Securing the agreement
would create huge political stresses for Israel if it tried to refuse
entry to the force, as the security of its own citizens would be
contingent upon allowing their entry.

O'Keefe said: "My detention is a futile attempt to silence my charge
that Palestinian Gaza is nothing less than a massive prison with
Israeli control that denies entry to all it sees fit. There is no
'legal' channel permitting someone like myself to enter Gaza."

"If I am deported it is because I went to Gaza armed only with an
"Agreement in Principle" that if agreed upon would bring a legitimate
chance for Truth, Justice and Peace for Israelis and Palestinians
alike."

"Based on two previous ceasefires (2001, 2003) it is my belief that
Hamas and Islamic Jihad would agree to give the P10K ceasefire the
opportunity to succeed in compelling the application of International
Law, which demands an end to Israel’s illegal occupation."

"I am conducting a hunger strike in solidarity with Palestinians who
have no freedom, no justice; it's food for the human soul."

In addition to seeking O'Keefe's release, P10K organizers are currently
finalizing details of a summer tour schedule throughout Europe and
Japan to register individuals to join the P10K FORCE.

www.P10K.net



Contact:
ian@P10K.net


Notes:
1
O'Keefe has maintained the hunger strike since his arrest on Thursday
10th June.

2
The standard policy of allowing foreigners access to their mobile phone
has been violated by the Commander at Suhar Detention Facility.
However, Ken's number is 00 972 (0)555 13990.

3
O'Keefe can legally be detained for up to 14 days.

4
O'Keefe formally renounced his US citizenship in Spring 2001 but this
renunciation has been rejected by the US State Department, in violation
of their own laws. Ken has burned his US passport twice, once in the
Netherlands, and once in Baghdad.

5
O'Keefe was detained in Gaza with Ian Hodgson, a P10K coordinator from
Oxford, UK. Hodgson was released late on Thursday evening after
signing a document agreeing not to reattempt entry to Gaza on his
current visa.

6
Personal message from Ken O'Keefe
http://www.p10k.net/UpdateItems.asp?ID=51
"...I believe this decision has been made in a futile attempt to
silence my charge that Palestinian Gaza is nothing less than a massive
prison with Israeli control that denies entry to all it sees fit..."

7
Description of Attempted Entrance into Palestinian Gaza
http://www.p10k.net/UpdateItems.asp?ID=50
"...Based on two previous ceasefires (2001, 2003) it is my belief that
Hamas and Islamic Jihad would agree to give the P10K ceasefire the
opportunity to succeed in compelling the application of international
law, which demands an end to Israel’s illegal occupation..."