Former NYC Comptroller Brad Lander says he was detained by Israel Defense Forces in West Bank
In an Instagram post, the former New York City comptroller said he was later released, writing, "I've been released from IDF custody with a 'warning.'"
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Brad Lander, the Democratic nominee for New York's 10th Congressional District, says he was detained by Israeli forces Wednesday while helping Palestinian farmers harvest olives in the West Bank.
In an Instagram post, the former New York City comptroller said he was later released, writing, "I've been released from IDF custody with a 'warning.'"
In another Instagram post, Lander said he was detained alongside rabbis and volunteers near the village of Nahalin, outside Bethlehem.
New Jewish Narrative, an advocacy organization, said at least 33 American citizens were among those detained.
The organization said volunteers had been harvesting for about two hours before Israeli forces declared the area a closed military zone and detained them.
In an earlier post, Lander said he joined the coalition to support Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest and draw attention to threats facing their communities.
"Our goals for the trip are to help protect the olive harvest, and to shed a light on the reality of the occupation," Lander wrote in a post on X.
Lander has repeatedly described Israel's military campaign in Gaza as a "genocide," a characterization rejected by Israeli officials. His criticism of Israel's actions has drawn criticism from some centrist groups and praise from some progressive activists.
Lander is the Democratic nominee in the Nov. 3 general election for New York's 10th Congressional District, which includes neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Manhattan. In the June 2026 primary, Lander defeated incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who campaigned for Lander, released a statement on X following the detention.
"Today, Brad Lander, rabbis, and other New Yorkers accompanied Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest. For that, they were detained by the Israeli government," Mamdani wrote.
"I am thankful that Brad has been released. But other New Yorkers remain detained, and they must be released immediately."
Mamdani added, "The detention of these New Yorkers must end. The occupation must end. The genocide must end."
The IDF released a statement on X writing, "Earlier today, a number of harvesters, accompanied by dozens of individuals, arrived to conduct an uncoordinated olive harvest in an area near Beitar Illit. Harvesting in this area requires a request to be submitted to the relevant authorities in advance of the start of the olive harvest season. This coordination is necessary to ensure the security of the area and maintain public order."
They added, "Due to the security risk posed by conducting an uncoordinated harvest near an Israeli community, IDF soldiers, Border Police forces in Judea and Samaria, and officers from the Judea and Samaria District Police arrived at the scene and detained those present."
The Israeli Foreign Ministry called the incident a calculated political provocation, writing in a statement, "At a time of heightened security tensions, Israeli security forces have a responsibility to protect lives, prevent dangerous incidents, and maintain public order."
The Israeli Foreign Ministry also claimed that Lander's team contacted Israeli representatives in the United States ahead of his visit and were informed that proper coordination with the relevant authorities were required, adding that the congressional candidate "chose to ignore those instructions."
