Brad Lander Released After West Bank Olive Harvest Detention

Brad Lander, a Democratic candidate for Congress from New York, was detained by Israeli forces while harvesting olives with Palestinian farmers in the West Bank on October 21 and later released with a warning, according to his account and Israeli police statements. Lander said he was among volunteers accompanying farmers near Nahalin, south of Bethlehem. He reported being held for about three hours and said others remained in custody after his release. Rabbis for Human Rights said about 80 to 90 volunteers were detained. The group included Israeli and foreign participants, according to reports from organizers and officials. The Israeli military said the harvest near the settlement of Beitar Illit had not been coordinated in advance and posed a security risk. It said those present were detained. The military did not say the olive harvest itself was prohibited, but said prior coordination was required in the area. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Lander’s team had been explicitly told to coordinate with authorities before the visit. Lander disputed that assertion, saying the Israeli embassy in Washington recommended coordination but did not tell his team it was mandatory. He...