Brad Lander, a Democratic candidate for the US House of Representatives, was held by Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday. Al-Monitor reported that Lander was part of a group of roughly 90 people, including citizens from the US, UK, and Canada, who were helping Palestinian farmers in Nahalin, south of Bethlehem. The volunteers joined the annual olive picking as a "protective presence" to shield farmers from settler aggression, a practice highlighted by Asharq Al-Awsat. Lander, a former New York City comptroller and ally of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is seeking a House seat in New York’s 10th district for the November 3 midterms.
Lander was released after about three hours, while other participants, including many rabbis, remained in custody for up to nine hours. On X, Lander attributed his quick release to his high profile, noting that the occupation is often seen as a legal challenge. He observed that farmers frequently encounter settler violence, a point underscored by the rights group Rabbis for Human Rights. The Israeli foreign ministry described the event as a "calculated political stunt," arguing that Lander failed to coordinate with authorities. The military explained that the area was a closed military zone where prior permission was required to maintain order near a settlement.
UN News noted that the harvest season started with an "ominous" tone, citing at least 160 settler attacks in the first two weeks of October. These incidents included the use of live ammunition and the destruction of ancient trees. The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture calculated that losses have reached $157 million since late 2023, with many trees in Gaza and the West Bank damaged or lost. The detention of Lander adds to diplomatic pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which recently received a call from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to manage settler violence more effectively. As the harvest continues, the tension between military logistics and political visibility remains a key issue in the region.