A 22-year-old British activist is scheduled for deportation on August 31 following an alleged kidnapping and assault by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Finn Joughin was taken into police custody in the southern West Bank village of Umm al-Khair after the weekend incident.
According to his lawyer, Inbar Shaked Vardi, Mr. Joughin was engaged in a protective presence tactic, aimed at deterring settler violence against Palestinians. He reportedly intervened when children from Israeli settler families attempted to breach fences protecting Palestinians in the village's sports center. Joughin's lawyer stated that settlers then began accusing him of sexual harassment, an accusation he denies.
Armed settlers allegedly took Mr. Joughin by force to the Carmel settlement. Ms. Vardi described the event as a violation of his right to privacy and good name, stating he was put in a headlock, had his hands tied behind his back, and was forced to sit on the floor for 30 minutes while settlers filmed him.
Israeli police were called to the settlement, leading to Mr. Joughin's arrest. He was interrogated under suspicion of assault. While awaiting a hearing at Jerusalem Magistrates' Court on August 30, Israeli authorities decided to deport him after a pre-deportation hearing.
Israeli police confirmed the arrest of a "foreign national who disturbed public order" near the Carmel settlement, noting a complaint was filed against him on suspicion of assaulting a minor and other offenses. The Population and Immigration Authority was involved in the decision regarding his removal from Israel. Mr. Joughin's flight to the UK was scheduled for midday GMT on August 31.