Israeli forces on Wednesday briefly detained a US congressional candidate as he joined activists supporting Palestinians harvesting olives in the face of threats by extremist settlers.<\/p>\n
Brad Lander, a left-wing Democrat who is expected to easily win a House seat in New York City on November 3, posted on social media that he was detained along with a group of rabbis and volunteers as they harvested olives west of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank.<\/p>\n
“The occupation is a crime under international law. Harvesting olives isn’t a crime under any law I know,” Lander wrote on X.<\/p>\n
He later wrote that he was released on account of his prominence, adding that “Palestinians face far worse consequences every day”.<\/p>\n
The Israeli foreign ministry lashed out at Lander over what it called a “calculated political stunt”, and said he had ignored guidance to coordinate with Israeli authorities.<\/p>\n
“This was not about harvesting olives. It was about harvesting headlines,” it said.<\/p>\n
The Israeli military said that the Palestinian landowner had not requested permission to conduct the harvest.<\/p>\n
“This coordination is necessary to ensure the security of the area and maintain public order,” it said, pointing to the “security risk of an uncoordinated harvest” near an Israeli settlement.<\/p>\n
Israel has faced growing international criticism over violence during the harvest, with rights groups documenting multiple attacks and other disruptions each day by settlers against Palestinians.<\/p>\n
Israel on Monday announced it had made several arrests after settlers beat up a US photojournalist covering the incidents and a French mayor who had come for the olive season.<\/p>\n
The violence comes in the final days before Israeli elections in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sought to shore up his right-wing base, which is staunchly pro-settlement.<\/p>\n
Israel has come under growing fire within the United States, traditionally its top ally.<\/p>\n
Lander, who is Jewish, is a close ally of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, an outspoken critic of Israeli policies.<\/p>\n
In a party primary in June, Lander ousted the sitting congressman, Dan Goldman, one of a dwindling number of Democrats who support Israel.<\/p>\n
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