US congressional candidate Brad Lander detained by Israeli forces at West Bank olive harvest

Summary

Israeli forces detained Brad Lander, a Democratic candidate for Congress from New York, during an olive harvest in the occupied West Bank, along with other volunteers, according to Hindustan Times, which quoted Lander. NPR reported that dozens of rabbis were also detained while helping Palestinians with their harvest. RTÉ, citing rights groups, reported the detention of a US Democratic congressional candidate. The Hindu reported that Israeli forces later released the candidate and described the harvest as marked by violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinian villagers trying to gather their crops. Le Monde reported that Israel announced on Monday it had made several arrests after settlers beat a US photojournalist covering the incidents and a French mayor who had come for the olive season.

Timeline

1. RTÉ

   21 Oct 2026, 14:39 UTCSource ↗

   RTÉ reports, citing rights groups, that a US Democratic party congressional candidate has been detained in the occupied West Bank by Israeli forces.

2. Hindustan Times

   21 Oct 2026, 14:47 UTCSource ↗

   Hindustan Times reports that Brad Lander, a Democratic candidate for Congress from New York, said Israeli forces detained him and other volunteers.

3. The Hindu

   21 Oct 2026, 17:31 UTCSource ↗

   The Hindu reports that Israeli forces detained and then released a US Congressional candidate at a West Bank olive harvest, the latest incident in a harvest marked by violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinian villagers.

4. Le Monde

   21 Oct 2026, 19:31 UTCSource ↗

   Le Monde reports that Israel announced on Monday it had made several arrests after settlers beat a US photojournalist covering the incidents and a French mayor who had come for the olive season.

5. NPR

   21 Oct 2026, 20:42 UTCSource ↗

   NPR reports that Brad Lander and dozens of rabbis were detained by Israeli security forces as they helped Palestinians with their olive harvest.