On Cowardice and Violence
Ken O'Keefe is a former US Marine who was on the Mavi Marmara last Memorial Day. He recounts how he and his brothers successfully captured three IDF commandos and how they were treated:
"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.
"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."
Israel repaid Ken's humanity by repeated beatings and hours of painful stress positions.
The last I've heard neither Ken nor his fellow victims have received any of their property back, but maybe the Jewish state doesn't have a problem with holding on to stolen properties.
Ken O'Keefe...