Israel deports 14 activists on Palestinian solidarity mission

JERUSALEM: Israel said on Sunday it had deported 14 Western activists who had gone to the occupied West Bank on solidarity missions with Palestinians facing violence from Israeli settlers.

Israeli authorities arrested them on Friday near Ramallah after an altercation between the activists and settlers, according to the Human Rights Defenders Fund, a group that provides legal support to activists who visit to support Palestinians.

The activists had gone with hopes of protecting Palestinians during their annual olive harvest, which has been hit by a surge of attacks by Israeli settlers who have beaten and stolen from the farmers.

“Fourteen foreigners who were staying in Israel on tourist visas were deported after being detained by security forces,” Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority said in a statement.