Mamdani-Backed Congressional Candidate Detained by Israeli Military in West Bank

Brad Lander, a progressive congressional candidate endorsed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, stated on Wednesday that he was detained by the Israeli military in the West Bank. Lander, who secured an upset victory in a primary against Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., was participating in a trip to assist Palestinian farmers in harvesting olives.

Lander posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he and a group of rabbis and volunteers were being held by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) near Nehalim. "We were simply harvesting olives in a grove near Nehalim in the West Bank. The occupation is a crime under international law. Harvesting olives isn’t a crime under any law I know," Lander wrote.

Lander, a former member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), is among several candidates Mamdani has backed in New York City's Democratic primaries. This incident echoes previous encounters with law enforcement involving candidates supported by Mamdani. Earlier this month, Dari aliza Avila Chevalier, another socialist candidate endorsed by Mamdani, reported being pushed to the ground by NYPD officers during a protest.

Lander previously served as the New York City comptroller. He left the DSA in 2023 following a rally held by members the day after the October 7 attacks by Hamas. Rabbis for Peace, the group Lander was with, shared a photo on X showing Lander and stated that he was detained "by Israeli police for standing with Palestinians during the olive harvest."

"The Palestinians whose land this is have a right to harvest it in peace," Lander, who is Jewish, said in a video shared by the group.

It remains unclear whether Lander has been released or the conditions of his detention. Lander's campaign and Mayor Mamdani's office have been contacted for comment.