US Congressional Candidate Detained by Israeli Forces During West Bank Olive Harvest

A candidate for the upcoming US midterm elections, Brad Lander, was briefly detained by Israeli troops on Wednesday while participating in an olive harvest in the occupied West Bank. Lander, a Democrat running for Congress in New York, stated that he was among dozens detained, including a group of rabbis. The group was present to show support for Palestinian olive farmers, whose agricultural activities have become a focal point of tensions with Israel in the region.

The Israeli military cited a "security risk posed by conducting an unco-ordinated harvest near an Israeli community" as the reason for their intervention, without elaborating on the specific danger. The army confirmed the detention of all individuals present. Lander described the activity as simply "harvesting olives" in a grove near Nehalim, asserting, "The occupation is a crime under international law. Harvesting olives isn’t a crime under any law I know." He later reported being released with a warning, while others remained in custody, adding, "To be clear: Palestinians face far worse consequences every day."

Israel's Foreign Ministry characterized Mr. Lander's visit as a stunt and a "calculated political provocation." Mr. Lander is the Democratic nominee for New York's 10th congressional district and is projected to win the House of Representatives seat in the November 3 midterms. A former city comptroller and self-proclaimed “liberal Zionist,” he previously defeated Representative Dan Goldman in the Democratic primary by making the election a referendum on Israel. Lander had criticized Goldman for opposing legislation to block arms sales to Israel and for not labeling its military campaign in Gaza as genocide.

This incident follows closely after a Washington Post journalist was assaulted by masked Israeli settlers while accompanying Palestinian villagers during an olive harvest. Violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers has seen a significant escalation in the occupied territory, with at least two Palestinians killed by settlers since late September. The olive harvest holds significant economic importance and symbolizes the deep connection Palestinians have to their land.