Democratic congressional nominee Brad Lander, the far-left former New York City Comptroller and close ally of radical Mayor Zohran Mamdani, was detained again by Israeli authorities on Wednesday.
Lander, the Democratic nominee for New York’s 10th Congressional District, was detained on October 21 alongside dozens of international activists and rabbis while participating in an olive-harvesting mission with Palestinian farmers near the village of Nahalin, south of Bethlehem, NY Times reported.
The former New York City comptroller, who previously made headlines after being detained by federal immigration agents during a confrontation at a Manhattan immigration courthouse, was released several hours later with a warning.
Lander posted a selfie from a bus filled with others, writing: “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. The occupation is a crime under international law. Harvesting olives isn’t a crime under any law I know.”
He later claimed he was released “with a ‘warning,’ apparently because of my public profile (I told them I wasn’t even a congressmember yet, just a nominee).”
He added that others remained in custody and should be freed immediately, framing the action as part of “state-sponsored ethnic cleansing.”
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.
The occupation is a crime under international law. Harvesting olives isn’t a crime under any law I know. https://t.co/r7B5Q3RvjY
— Brad Lander (@bradlander) October 21, 2026
Lander accused Israel of violating Palestinian rights while Israeli officials blasted the Democratic candidate for a publicity stunt.
The military and police detained the group, reported at around 80 to 90 volunteers, including Americans, Israelis, and others associated with groups like Rabbis for Human Rights and the “Protect the Harvest” coalition, after declaring the area a closed military zone.
Authorities cited the security risk of an uncoordinated harvest near an Israeli community and viewed the arrival of dozens of activists as intended to provoke rather than simply assist with farming.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry called Lander’s trip a “calculated political provocation,” noting that his team had been informed in advance that proper coordination with relevant authorities was required but proceeded anyway.
According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
“This was not about harvesting olives.
It was about harvesting headlines.Brad Lander’s latest stunt is nothing more than a calculated political provocation.
Lander traveled to a foreign country, deliberately entered a restricted security area, and participated in an unauthorized activity without the required coordination.
What makes this stunt even more outrageous is that his own team contacted Israeli representatives in the United States ahead of his visit and was explicitly informed that proper coordination with the relevant authorities was required.
He chose to ignore those instructions.At a time of heightened security tensions, Israeli security forces have a responsibility to protect lives, prevent dangerous incidents, and maintain public order.
Had anyone been injured as a result of his reckless political theater, Lander would undoubtedly have been among the first to demand that Israeli authorities intervene and provide protection.
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Brad Lander came looking for a confrontation. Now he is pretending to be its victim.”
This was not about harvesting olives.
It was about harvesting headlines.Brad Lander’s latest stunt is nothing more than a calculated political provocation.
Lander traveled to a foreign country, deliberately entered a restricted security area, and participated in an unauthorized activity without the required coordination.
What makes this stunt even more outrageous is that his own team contacted Israeli representatives in the United States ahead of his visit and was explicitly informed that proper coordination with the relevant authorities was required.
He chose to ignore those instructions.At a time of heightened security tensions, Israeli security forces have a responsibility to protect lives, prevent dangerous incidents, and maintain public order.
Had anyone been injured as a result of his reckless political theater, Lander would undoubtedly have been among the first to demand that Israeli authorities intervene and provide protection.
Brad Lander came looking for a confrontation. Now he is pretending to be its victim.
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 21, 2026
This is not Lander’s first encounter with law enforcement in a political context. Earlier in 2025, as NYC Comptroller and mayoral candidate, he was arrested by ICE agents after intervening to obstruct immigration enforcement at a Manhattan courthouse.
