WEST BANK (WABC) — Brad Lander, Democratic candidate for New York’s 10th Congressional District and former New York City comptroller, said Wednesday that he was released by the Israeli military after being taken into custody while participating in an olive harvest in the West Bank.
In a new social media post, Lander said he was released with a warning and suggested his public profile played a role in the decision.
“I was released from the IDF with a ‘warning,’ apparently because of my public profile (I told them I wasn’t even a member of Congress yet, just a candidate),” Lander wrote. He added that “several dozen rabbis & the participants who harvest olives with me are still in detention.”
The rally was described as both a harvest and a protest against the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinian farmers who depend on the harvest.
Israeli police arrived and arrested the group, saying they needed permission to go there. Lander and the others were put on buses before Lander was released.
“I was in custody for probably about three hours, but 60 people, including American rabbis and international volunteers as well as Israelis and Palestinians, are still in custody eight hours later,” Lander said.
Lander criticized Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
“Look, as an American Jew, I want to see, I believe in the vision of a Jewish, democratic Israel, but it’s impossible as long as it occupies Palestinian land and prevents Palestinians from just living peaceful lives, harvesting their own olives.”
Mayor Mamdani condemned Lander’s detention on social media and expressed support for him.
Israeli police said in a statement that the harvests had not been properly coordinated with military authorities.
“…after the IDF reported that the harvests had not been properly coordinated with the relevant military authorities and that the harvests were not permitted without such coordination, all those involved were arrested and taken to a police station.”
Lander disputed this explanation.
“Yeah, it’s just a lie. Coordination isn’t necessary. It was private Palestinian land. We didn’t go through a checkpoint. We didn’t cross a barrier. There were no soldiers at first. We drove from the guest house where we were staying at the end of the road. The Palestinian farmer welcomed us and brought little cups of coffee for everyone. They were so happy. They couldn’t have harvesting this field for three years for fear that the settlers from the colony just above the olive grove would attack them.”
Lander visited the West Bank this week as part of the Protect the Harvest coalition, which he said works to support Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest and promote “human rights, security, equality.” and freedom for Palestinians and Israelis. »
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