Occupation detains candidate during olive harvest
On Wednesday, Israeli occupation forces detained Democratic U.S. Congress candidate Brad Lander while he was helping Palestinian farmers harvest olives west of Bethlehem, amid escalating settler attacks and restrictions on Palestinians' access to their lands. Lander reported that he was released shortly afterward, criticizing his detention and describing it as a violation of international law, emphasizing that olive harvesting is not a crime. Conversely, the Israeli Foreign Ministry considered Lander's participation to be a “calculated political maneuver” aimed at garnering media attention, claiming that coordination with Israeli authorities is necessary for security reasons. The escalation in settler attacks on farmers during the olive harvest season, combined with Israeli restrictions hindering Palestinians' access to their lands, has drawn international criticism of occupation policies. These events coincide with upcoming Israeli elections and increasing American criticism of Israeli policies in the West Bank, particularly settlement expansion.
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