<html>
<body>
<font size=3><a href="http://www.counterpunch.org/" eudora="autourl">
http://www.counterpunch.org/<br>
</a></font><font size=2 color="#990000">June 7, 2010<br><br>
</font><h1><font size=4><b>Reflections by a Former US Marine on the Mavi
Marmara <br><br>
<br>
</i></font><font size=5 color="#990000">On Cowardice and Violence
</b></font></h1><font size=4>By KEN O'KEEFE <br><br>
</font><font size=3><i>Istanbul <br><br>
</i>In 2002 I initiated the TJP Human Shield Action to Iraq because I
knew that the invasion of Iraq had been planned well in advance,
that it was part of a ‘Global Spectrum Dominance’ agenda as laid
out by the Project For A New American Century. I knew that
protests had no chance of stopping the invasion, and that largely these
protests were just a way of making us feel better about the coming
mass murder; by being able to say “I protested against it.” With
that understanding I argued that the only viable way to stop the
invasion was to conduct a mass migration to Iraq. A migration in
which people from around the world, especially western citizens,
would position themselves at sites in Iraq that are supposed to be
protected by international law, but which are routinely bombed when it is
only Iraqi, Palestinian, generally non-white, western lives who
will be killed. I felt 10,000 such people could stop the invasion,
or at the very least, expose the invasion for what it was from the
start, an act of international aggression, a war crime and a crime
against humanity. <br><br>
I have for many years understood that we, people of conscience, are
the true holders of power in this world. Frustratingly however we
have largely relinquished that power and failed to reach our full
potential. Our potential to create a better world, a just
world. Nonetheless I have conspired with others of like mind
to reveal and exercise our true power. <br><br>
When our two double decker busses travelled from London to Baghdad
through Turkey, it was ever clear that the people of Turkey also
could sense the power of this act, and they were the biggest
participants in it. In the end we did not get the numbers
required to stop the war, with at least one million Iraqi’s dead as
a result, but I remain convinced that it was within our power to
prevent the invasion. A massive opportunity lost as far as I
am concerned. <br><br>
In 2007 I joined the Free Gaza Movement with its plan to challenge
the blockade of Gaza by travelling to Gaza by sea. From the
moment I heard of the plan I knew it could succeed and ultimately I
served as a captain on the first attempt. The Israeli government
said throughout our preparation that we were no better than pirates
and they would treat us as such. They made clear we would not
reach Gaza. And still I knew we could succeed. And we
did. Two boats with 46 passengers from various countries
managed to sail into Gaza on August 23, 2010; this was the first
time this had been done in 41 years. <br><br>
The truth is the blockade of Gaza is far more than three years old,
and yet we, a small group of conscientious people defied the
Israeli machine and celebrated with tens of thousands of Gazans
when we arrived that day. We proved that it could be done. We
proved that an intelligent plan, with skilled manipulation of the
media, could render the full might of the Israeli Navy
useless. And I knew then that this was only the tip of the
iceberg. <br><br>
So participating in the Freedom Flotilla is like a family reunion
to me. It is my long lost family whose conscience is their
guide, who have shed the fear, who act with humanity. But I
was especially proud to join IHH and the Turkish elements of
the flotilla. I deeply admire the strength and character of
the Turkish people, despite your history having stains of
injustice, like every nation, you are today from citizen to Prime
Minister among the leaders in the cause of humanity and
justice. <br><br>
I remember being asked during the TJP Human Shield Action to Iraq
if I was a pacifist, I responded with a quote from Gandhi by saying
I am not a passive anything. To the contrary I believe in
action, and I also believe in self-defence, 100 per cent, without
reservation. I would be incapable of standing by while a
tyrant murders my family, and the attack on the Mavi Marmara was
like an attack on my Palestinian family. I am proud to have
stood shoulder to shoulder with those who refused to let a rogue
Israeli military exert their will without a fight. <br><br>
And yes, we fought.<br><br>
When I was asked, in the event of an Israeli attack on the Mavi
Marmara, would I use the camera, or would I defend the ship?
I enthusiastically committed to defence of the ship. Although
I am also a huge supporter of non-violence, in fact I believe
non-violence must always be the first option. Nonetheless I
joined the defence of the Mavi Mamara understanding that violence
could be used against us and that we may very well be compelled to
use violence in self defence. <br><br>
I said this straight to Israeli agents, probably of Mossad or Shin
Bet, and I say it again now, on the morning of the attack I was
directly involved in the disarming of two Israeli Commandos.
This was a forcible, non-negotiable, separation of weapons
from commandos who had already murdered two brothers that I had
seen that day. One brother with a bullet entering dead center
in his forehead, in what appeared to be an execution.
<br><br>
I knew the commandos were murdering when I removed a 9mm pistol from one
of them. I had that gun in my hands and as an ex-US Marine
with training in the use of guns it was completely within my power
to use that gun on the commando who may have been the murderer of
one of my brothers. But that is not what I, nor any other
defender of the ship did. I took that weapon away, removed
the bullets, proper lead bullets, separated them from the weapon
and hid the gun. I did this in the hopes that we would repel
the attack and submit this weapon as evidence in a criminal trial
against Israeli authorities for mass murder. I also helped to
physically separate one commando from his assault rifle, which
another brother apparently threw into the sea. <br><br>
I and hundreds of others know the truth that makes a mockery of the
brave and moral Israeli military. We had in our full possession,
three completely disarmed and helpless commandos. These boys were
at our mercy, they were out of reach of their fellow murderers,
inside the ship and surrounded by 100 or more men. I looked
into the eyes of all three of these boys and I can tell you they
had the fear of God in them. They looked at us as if we were
them, and I have no doubt they did not believe there was any way
they would survive that day. They looked like frightened
children in the face of an abusive father. <br><br>
But they did not face an enemy as ruthless as they. Instead
the woman provided basic first aid, and ultimately they were
released, battered and bruised for sure, but alive. Able to
live another day. Able to feel the sun over head and the
embrace of loved ones. Unlike those they murdered.
Despite mourning the loss of our brothers, feeling rage towards
these boys, we let them go. <br><br>
The Israeli prostitutes of propaganda can spew all of their
disgusting bile all they wish, the commandos are the murderers, we
are the defenders, and yet we fought. We fought not just for
our lives, not just for our cargo, not just for the people of
Palestine, we fought in the name of justice and humanity. We
were right to do so, in every way.<br><br>
While in Israeli custody I, along with everyone else was subjected
to endless abuse and flagrant acts of disrespect. Women and
elderly were physically and mentally assaulted. Access to
food and water and toilets was denied. Dogs were used against
us, we ourselves were treated like dogs. We were exposed to
direct sun in stress positions while hand cuffed to the point of
losing circulation of blood in our hands. We were lied to
incessantly, in fact I am awed at the routineness and comfort in
their ability to lie, it is remarkable really. We were abused
in just about every way imaginable and I myself was beaten and
choked to the point of blacking out… and I was beaten again while
in my cell. In all this what I saw more than anything else
were cowards… and yet I also see my brothers. Because no
matter how vile and wrong the Israeli agents and government are,
they are still my brothers and sisters and for now I only have pity
for them. Because they are relinquishing the most precious thing a
human being has, their humanity. <br><br>
In conclusion; I would like to challenge every endorser of Gandhi,
every person who thinks they understand him, who acknowledges him
as one of the great souls of our time (which is just about every
western leader), I challenge you in the form of a question.
<br><br>
Please explain how we, the defenders of the Mavi Mamara, are not
the modern example of Gandhi’s essence? But first read the
words of Gandhi himself.
<dl>
<dd>I do believe that, where there is only a choice between
cowardice and violence, I would advise violence.... I would rather
have India resort to arms in order to defend her honour than that
she should, in a cowardly manner, become or remain a helpless
witness to her own dishonour. – Gandhi
</dl>And lastly I have one more challenge. I challenge any critic
of merit, publicly, to debate me on a large stage over our
actions that day. I would especially love to debate with any
Israeli leader who accuses us of wrongdoing, it would be my
tremendous pleasure to face off with you. All I saw in Israel
was cowards with guns, so I am ripe to see you in a new
context. I want to debate with you on the largest stage
possible. Take that as an open challenge and let us see just
how brave Israeli leaders are.<br><br>
<b>Ken O'Keefe</b> is a former US Marine and Gulf War veteran. <br><br>
<br><br>
</font><x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
<font size=3 color="#FF0000">Freedom Archives<br>
522 Valencia Street<br>
San Francisco, CA 94110<br><br>
</font><font size=3 color="#008000">415 863-9977<br><br>
</font><font size=3 color="#0000FF">
<a href="http://www.freedomarchives.org/" eudora="autourl">
www.Freedomarchives.org</a></font><font size=3> </font></body>
</html>