US election candidate detained by Israel at West Bank olive harvest

On Wednesday, US congressional candidate Brad Lander was briefly detained by Israeli forces during an olive harvest in the West Bank. Lander, a Democrat running for a seat in New York's 10th congressional district, was one of several individuals, including rabbis, detained for participating in the harvest as a show of support for Palestinians.

The Israeli military claimed the detention was due to a security risk posed by the uncoordinated harvest near an Israeli community. However, Lander argued that harvesting olives is not a crime and that the occupation itself is illegal under international law. He was released with a warning, while others remained in custody. Israel's Foreign Ministry called Lander's visit a "stunt" and a "calculated political provocation."

Lander, a self-described "liberal Zionist," is the Democratic nominee for New York's 10th congressional district and is expected to win the election on November 3. The incident occurred days after a Washington Post journalist was attacked by Israeli settlers while accompanying Palestinian villagers during an olive harvest. Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have escalated, with at least two Palestinians killed by settlers since early September.