Former New York City comptroller and current congressional candidate, Brad Lander, has made headlines after claiming he was detained by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) while participating in an olive harvest in the West Bank. Lander shared his experience in a post on X, where he stated that he was among a group of rabbis and volunteers during the incident.
In his post, Lander expressed his dismay at the situation, emphasizing, “We were simply harvesting olives in a grove… The occupation is a crime under international law. Harvesting olives isn’t a crime under any law I know.” His actions were part of a mission with the “Protect the Harvest” coalition, aimed at assisting Palestinian farmers amidst ongoing tensions in the region.
As Lander seeks to gain traction in his campaign for New York’s 10th Congressional District, he has positioned himself as a vocal critic of the Israeli government’s policies, particularly regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which he has referred to as “genocide.” This stance has been a point of contention in his race, especially after he ousted incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman in the primary, where views on Israel were a significant factor.
In addition to Lander’s detention, recent weeks have seen a rise in violence, including high-profile attacks by Israeli settlers, which have drawn international scrutiny. The United Nations reports that over 900 Palestinians have been injured in such incidents since the beginning of the year, with fatalities also reported.
As Lander continues to navigate the political landscape, his experiences in the West Bank underscore the complex interplay of politics and humanitarian efforts in a region marked by longstanding conflict.
Photo credit: @brad.lander
