On a recent trip to the occupied West Bank, Congressional candidate Brad Lander reported being detained by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) while participating in an olive harvest with international volunteers. The incident occurred during an effort to assist Palestinian farmers, who have faced significant challenges related to safety amid ongoing conflict.

Details of the Incident

Lander, who is campaigning for New York’s 10th District, stated in an interview that he was harvesting olives alongside over 40 international volunteers, including both Americans and Israelis, when the IDF intervened. According to Lander, the Israeli authorities claimed their activities were illegal and accused them of “causing a disturbance of public order.”

“But I assure you, all we were doing was harvesting olives,” Lander remarked, indicating that the group’s peaceful actions were being misconstrued as disruptive.

Release and Restrictions

After about two hours of detention, Lander reported that he was released, possibly due to his status as a public figure. He noted that the IDF referred to him as “congressman,” despite him clarifying he had yet to officially take office. “If they don’t want a diplomatic or international incident, they should stop state-sponsored ethnic cleansing,” he stated, emphasizing that his release would not alter the underlying issues of occupation.

According to Beck Strober, a spokesperson for Protect the Harvest, the organization involved in the olive harvest, most detainees were released except for four individuals. The Israeli participants received a 28-day ban from returning to the West Bank, which would halt their involvement in the harvest.

Context and Consequences

The olive grove where the group was volunteering had not been harvested since the onset of violence from Hamas on October 7, 2023. Lander highlighted that Palestinian farmers had been unable to safely tend to their crops due to threats from nearby Israeli settlements.

This detention follows a broader pattern of violence in the region. Reports indicate that over 900 Palestinians had been injured in settler attacks this year alone, with 76 fatalities attributed to conflicts involving Israeli forces and settlers.

Statements from Advocacy Groups

The incident drew criticism from various human rights organizations. Rabbi Jill Jacobs, CEO of T’ruah, characterized the IDF’s actions as “an outrageous abuse of power” and part of an ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing aimed at displacing Palestinians from their land. She emphasized the group’s intention to “not be intimidated into silence.”

Lander’s Advocacy in Context

Brad Lander has been vocal about his views on Israeli policies, particularly regarding the war in Gaza, which he has described as “genocide.” His recent actions and statements align with his campaign platform, as he aims to raise awareness about the realities faced by Palestinian communities amid ongoing conflict.