Israel orders deportation of British activist seized in West Bank

British activist Finn Joughin was seized by armed Israeli occupiers in the Palestinian village of Umm al-Khair on Saturday and held in a shed for approximately 30 minutes before police ordered his deportation, according to Haaretz. The Israeli daily cited lawyer Inbar Shaked Vardi as saying that Joughin had been participating in a protective presence initiative in Masafer Yatta when he was assaulted and detained. Israeli police initially sought to extend his detention on Sunday but subsequently withdrew the request and ordered his immediate removal from the country.

Assault and allegations

Vardi stated that her client was attempting to protect Palestinian property when the incident occurred. "Despite clear documentation of the assault, Israel police chose to arrest the activist," she said, adding that, to her knowledge, the attackers were not questioned. Haaretz reported that police investigated Joughin after an Israeli occupier filed a complaint accusing him of committing an indecent act against a minor, an allegation Vardi strongly denied.

Diplomatic response

The British government has sought information from Israeli authorities regarding the case, the newspaper said. A UK Foreign Office spokesperson told Haaretz that officials at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv had raised the matter with Israeli authorities and were seeking further details. An Israeli solidarity group active in the South Hebron Hills said Joughin was grabbed and dragged away without provocation while trying to document the harassment of Palestinian residents.

West Bank escalation

The incident comes amid a dramatic surge in Israeli military activity and attacks by Israeli occupiers in the West Bank since Israel launched its war on the Gaza Strip in October 2023. The escalation has been accompanied by the expansion of illegal Israeli settlement outposts and increased restrictions on Palestinian movement throughout the occupied territory.