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Kenneth O'Keefe
Organising the Iraq human-shield campaign and taking part in the Gaza flotilla.
Anti-Zionist activism · Mavi Marmara
- Born
- 21 July 1969
- Birthplace
- Napa, California, USA
More people
Kenneth O'Keefe
A former US Marine who became an anti-war campaigner and public speaker supporting Palestinian rights. His activities have included environmental work, direct-action campaigns and political broadcasting.
Early life
California upbringing
Born in Napa and raised in Southern California.
Joining the Marines
Said he enlisted seeking discipline and demanding training, rather than a lifelong military career.
Career
- 1980s–1990s
Military service
Joined the US Marine Corps at nineteen and served in the Gulf War.
- 1990s
Environmental campaigning
Worked on marine conservation in Hawaii and participated in Sea Shepherd activities.
- 2002–2003
Anti-war organising
Launched the call for a human-shield mission and organised a convoy from London towards Baghdad.
- 2010
Palestinian solidarity campaigns
Participated in the Gaza flotilla and later joined the Road to Hope aid convoy.
- 2013
Online broadcasting
Joined The People’s Voice as a presenter discussing Middle Eastern politics.
Campaigns & broadcasts
Human Shield Action to Iraq
Organised volunteers seeking to deter attacks by placing themselves at civilian sites.
Gaza flotilla
Travelled aboard the Mavi Marmara in the convoy challenging the Gaza blockade.
The Middle East Show
Presented political commentary for the internet broadcaster The People’s Voice.
Beyond campaigning
World citizenship
Has described himself as a world citizen and attempted to renounce his US citizenship.
Public criticism
In 2015, the Southern Poverty Law Center criticised his antisemitic speeches and association with David Duke, documenting his appearances in white-supremacist circles.
Sources & photo credit
Biographical reference ↗Stars and Stripes: military background and Iraq campaign ↗Al Jazeera: flotilla interview ↗SPLC: speeches and associations, 2015 ↗Photo: Chris Saunders. CC BY-SA 3.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
