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 (at) 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
www.p10k.net/UpdateItems.asp
"...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
www.p10k.net/UpdateItems.asp
"...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..."