British Activist Facing Deportation After Settler Seizure in West Bank

A British activist is facing deportation from Israel after being detained by police in the West Bank, following an incident involving Israeli settlers. Finn Joughin appeared before the Magistrate Court in Jerusalem on Sunday, where his lawyer said he would be removed from the country without a formal hearing.

According to Joughin's attorney, Inbar Shaked Vardi, her client was arrested on Saturday in Kiryat Arba, near Hebron. The arrest came after Joughin attempted to prevent settlers from entering the Palestinian village of Um al-Khir. Vardi said he was standing near a fence that settlers were trying to dismantle when armed men, not in uniform, seized him. He was held in a shed inside a settlement for about 30 minutes before being handed over to police.

Police then interrogated Joughin over a complaint of assault. Vardi said they initially agreed to release him with a 15-day ban from the West Bank, but later decided to move him to deportation proceedings without a hearing. She described the case as political, saying the intention was to deport international activists who come to assist Palestinians.

Settlers have accused Joughin of assaulting a child, a claim his lawyer strongly denies. Video footage shows two settlers, one armed, restraining Joughin and leading him away from the village. Another video appears to show Joughin using his body to block a settler boy from passing through a fence, which Vardi says was an attempt to protect the village.

Joughin was taken to immigration enforcement for a hearing and was expected to be deported later on Sunday.