NYC Congressional Nominee Brad Lander Detained by IDF in West Bank
Brad Lander, a candidate for New York's 10th Congressional District, reported being detained by the Israeli Defense Forces while participating in an olive harvest.
New York congressional nominee Brad Lander stated on Wednesday that he was detained by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) while participating in an olive harvest in the West Bank. Lander, who is running for New York's 10th Congressional District seat in the upcoming election, shared his account on the social media platform X.
Lander, who previously served as the Big Apple Comptroller, posted a photograph of himself on a bus with other individuals. He stated, "I've been detained by the IDF, along with a group of rabbis & volunteers. We were simply harvesting olives in a grove near Nehalim in the West Bank."
It remains unclear if Lander was engaged in any activities other than olive harvesting during the incident. He commented on the situation, stating, "The occupation is a crime under international law. Harvesting olives isn’t a crime under any law I know."
Lander, who is Jewish, has been a vocal critic of Israel's policies. He defeated outgoing Rep. Dan Goldman in the June primary for the Democratic nomination, positioning himself as a progressive challenger.