New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has sharply criticized Israel over the detention of congressional candidate Brad Lander, several rabbis, and other activists who joined Palestinian farmers for the olive harvest in the West Bank. In his public statement, Mamdani defended the group’s participation in the harvest, arguing that picking olives is legal while condemning Israel’s presence in the territory and accusing the Jewish state of “genocide.” His remarks have brought renewed attention to the tensions surrounding the annual olive harvest, which has become a flashpoint over land access, security restrictions, and reported violence against Palestinian farmers. Lander, a Jewish former New York City comptroller and political ally of Mamdani, was reportedly detained briefly by Israeli forces near Bethlehem before being released with a warning. The group, estimated at approximately 80 to 90 people, was detained after the area was declared a closed military zone during an event called “Protect the Harvest.” Israeli authorities have cited security and coordination concerns in the area, while critics argue that such restrictions interfere with farmers’ ability to reach their land and collect their crops.

Mamdani’s intervention has turned a local confrontation over access to farmland into a broader political dispute over Israel’s policies in the West Bank and its conduct toward Palestinians. The mayor also invoked a Palestinian death toll of approximately 74,000 in making his accusations, although that figure alone does not establish the legal elements of genocide, which is a specific allegation under international law. Olive harvesting in the West Bank has increasingly drawn activists seeking to accompany Palestinian farmers amid reports of settler violence and restrictions on access since October 2023. Supporters of these initiatives say international and Israeli activists can help deter intimidation and document incidents, while Israeli authorities may impose restrictions around particular areas for security reasons. Lander’s detention is especially politically sensitive given his prominence in New York politics and his recent nomination as a congressional candidate. The episode is likely to intensify debate over the West Bank, the role of international activists, and whether security measures are being applied proportionately, as Mamdani’s forceful language adds another contentious dimension to the already strained discussion surrounding Israel.