Brad Lander, a New York politician running for Congress, was detained in Israel while participating in an olive harvest alongside Palestinians and left-wing Jewish activist organizations.

Lander, a close political ally of NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has drawn criticism over his involvement in the activity, as this trip was clearly intended to generate publicity and bolster his political profile back home. Brad is Jewish and will never be accepted by the progressive left-wing he is attempting to win over.

Jake Turx commented: “What is it with these people? You could go off-road ATVing. You could have a beautiful kumzitz at Kever Rochel. But no. Apparently nothing beats the sheer exhilaration of arriving at an olive grove without the proper paperwork, being politely informed that you can’t enter, and posing for selfies pretending like you just survived the Siege of Leningrad.”

Aviva Klompas:

“The Democratic candidate outrage playbook:

☑️ Declare you’ll never take a dime from AIPAC.
☑️ Fly to Israel, stage a confrontation, and turn being detained into a publicity opportunity.
☑️ Generate headlines and viral clips.
☑️ Ignore issues Americans care about – housing costs, health care, struggling schools, or making life more affordable.

Brad can follow the playbook all he wants, but sooner or later he’ll learn that the anti-Zionists will never accept him.”

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

Why is someone running for the United States Congress, was just 2 weeks to go to the elections, 6,000 miles away from their district????

Brad Lander and so many others abandon the needs of their constituents in favor of the DSA anti Israel social media mob. https://t.co/CJs62lJygW

— Rabbi Poupko (@RabbiPoupko) October 21, 2026