Israeli forces briefly detained U.S. congressional candidate Brad Lander in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday while he accompanied Palestinians gathering olives under threat from extremist settlers.
The New York Democrat said he was held with rabbis and volunteers at a harvest site west of Bethlehem. He later announced his release, attributing it to his public profile.
“The occupation is a crime under international law. Harvesting olives isn't a crime under any law I know,” Lander wrote on X.
He said his treatment reflected his prominence, adding that “Palestinians face far worse consequences every day.”
Israel Cites Coordination Requirements
Israel’s foreign ministry accused Lander of staging a political provocation and disregarding instructions to arrange the visit with Israeli authorities.
“This was not about harvesting olives. It was about harvesting headlines,” the ministry said.
The military separately said the Palestinian owner had not sought authorization for the harvest.
It argued that coordination was required to protect security and public order because the land was near an Israeli settlement.
Violence During the Harvest
The detention follows mounting international scrutiny of settler violence during the olive season.
Rights organizations have recorded attacks and interference targeting Palestinian harvesters on a daily basis.
Israeli authorities said Monday that several people had been arrested after settlers assaulted an American photojournalist reporting on the violence and a French mayor visiting for the harvest.
The incidents come shortly before Israel’s election, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to consolidate support among right-wing voters who strongly back settlements.
A Prominent Democratic Critic
Lander, who is Jewish, is favored to secure a New York City House seat on November 3.
He defeated incumbent Dan Goldman, a supporter of Israel, in June’s Democratic primary.
He is also closely aligned with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a vocal opponent of Israeli policies.
His detention comes as criticism of Israel grows in the U.S., its longstanding principal ally.
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