While participating in an olive harvest in the West Bank on Wednesday, US Democratic congressional nominee Brad Lander was held by Israeli authorities alongside 90 others, Reuters reported..
Lander had been touring Judea and Samaria with the Israeli organization Rabbis for Human Rights, which was accompanying Palestinian farmers amid ongoing clashes with Israeli settlers. Lander, an ally of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and a former New York City comptroller, is currently running for the US House of Representatives in New York's 10th district.
The Jewish American politician, who has criticized the Gaza war, posted online: "I've been detained by the IDF, along with a group of rabbis & volunteers. We were simply harvesting olives in a grove near Nehalim in the West Bank."
I've been detained by the IDF, along with a group of rabbis & volunteers. We were simply harvesting olives in a grove near Nehalim in the West Bank. The occupation is a crime under international law. Harvesting olives isn't a crime under any law I know. https://t.co/r7B5Q3RvjY
— Brad Lander (@bradlander) October 21, 2026
He added, "The occupation is a crime under international law. Harvesting olives isn't a crime under any law I know." Israel Police and the US Embassy in Jerusalem did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to Reuters.
