Ken O'Keefe, a fellow of the London School for Social Entrepreneurs, is believed to be among the activists captured on Gaza aid convoy on Monday
A British-based social entrepreneur is believed to be among the activists captured by Israeli commandos who boarded a flotilla on Monday as it attempted to get aid to Gaza.
London’s School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) fellow Ken O’Keefe founded community interest company Aloha Palastine in 2008 with journalist and human rights activist Lauren Booth, sister-in-law of former prime minister Tony Blair. It ships both people and humanitarian cargo into Gaza and aims to stimulate trade and economic development.
American born O’Keefe, who holds Hawaiian, Palestinian and Irish citizenship, set up his first social enterprise, a diving and marine conservation organisation, in Hawaii 14 years ago and says on his SSE website profile page that he hopes his newest venture will achieve ‘equal longevity and increased impact’.
‘I am genuinely excited to meet and collaborate with people who reject cynicism in favour of engagement and social responsibility,’ he says of his SSE fellowship.
Nick Temple, policy and communications manager at SSE, said he was 95 per cent sure O’Keefe was on the flotilla. SSE tutor Ben Metz has been trying to contact him. O’Keefe’s name was also on a list of names of those thought to be on the flotilla published by the Channel 4 news website.
He is not believed to be one of the nine people killed during Monday’s ambush. The BBC has reported that the majority of held activists were due to be deported yesterday.
Temple said: ‘Ken has made a big impact and contribution at the start of the London SSE Programme, where he is developing his organisation Aloha Palestine. All of the staff here and his fellow students are thinking of him, following this week's events, and wishing him a swift and safe return.’
Social Enterprise tried to contact O’Keefe, but his mobile phone went straight to voicemail. His voicemail message said he was due back in the UK in February 2010.
For more information about O’Keefe, visit www.worldcitizen.uk.net and for more on Aloha Palestine visit http://alohapalestine.com/
His SSE profile can be seen here.
...as Susan Boyle might have sung. On SocialEnterpriselive.com this week:
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Comments
UPDATE, SSE Fellow Ken O'Keefe
Moe Miah Update: Aloha all,
I have had word that Ken is now safely in Istanbul and receiving medical treatment.
He is provisionally booked to return to the UK early next week....
Moe Miah Aloha all,
Update:
If Ken's deportation happens as planned by the Israelis the Istanbul Press Conference will meet Ken at the airport.
Previsional deportation details are as follows:
Flight No. TK0787
Departing: 15.20 Tel Aviv
Arriving: 17.35 Ataturk Terminal 1
Ken said in a telephone conversation:
"I want to discuss my role in defending the ship and disarming two Israeli commandos along with conditions and treatment while in Israeli custody, including two beatings at the hands of Israeli agents."