IDF Detains Around 90 Olive Harvest Volunteers in West Bank, Including US House Nominee

Israeli forces detained dozens of volunteers accompanying Palestinian farmers near Bethlehem, including New York Democratic congressional nominee Brad Lander.

IDF forces detained approximately 90 volunteers and rabbis accompanying Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest near Bethlehem, The Jerusalem Post and Channel 7 reported. Among those detained was Brad Lander, a Democratic nominee for the US Congress from New York.

According to the group Rabbis for Human Rights, the activists were operating near the village of Nahalin to help Palestinians reach their groves. Following his detention, Lander stated that harvesting olives is not a violation of the law, arguing that the occupation breaches international law.

At this stage, an official response has not yet been released by the IDF regarding the reasons for detaining the group or how long the activists were held.