IDF Detains 80 International Volunteers, Including NY Candidate Brad Lander, During West Bank Olive Harvest

Key points

• Approximately 80 volunteers from the US, UK, and Israel were detained by the Israel Defense Forces near Nahalin in the West Bank.
• Detainees included New York Democratic nominee Brad Lander, 11 American rabbis affiliated with T’ruah, and former Israeli deputy attorney general Joshua Schoffman.
• Lander was released with a warning, while the other detainees remained held at a police station without access to food.
• The Israeli military stated the area was a closed military zone, while organizers claimed the group was peacefully working on private land.
• The detention followed a weekend of violent settler attacks on journalists and diplomats, which led to the arrest of 10 settlers by Israeli police.

Background

This incident takes place against a backdrop of escalating settler violence in the West Bank. According to a UN report cited in our archive, over 900 Palestinians have been injured by settlers since the start of 2026. In the days leading up to this event, violent attacks on a Washington Post photojournalist and European diplomats drew international condemnation and resulted in the rare arrest of 10 settlers by Israeli police. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu questioned the accounts of the violence, while human rights groups highlighted the disparity between the response to attacks on foreigners and the impunity often granted to violence against Palestinians.

Why it matters

The detention of high-profile international figures, including a US congressional candidate and former senior Israeli legal officials, highlights the increasing friction between international observers and Israeli security forces in the West Bank. It underscores the risks faced by those attempting to support Palestinian agricultural activities and raises questions about the application of military zones in civilian areas. The incident also reflects the broader tension between Israel’s security operations and international calls for accountability regarding settler violence.

What to watch

The status of the remaining detainees, including the 11 American rabbis and Joshua Schoffman, is expected to be a focus of diplomatic and legal attention. International organizations and governments may issue further statements or take action in response to the detention of their nationals. The Israeli military and police are expected to provide official comments regarding the justification for the mass detention and the closure of the military zone.