Four detained US activists, including a Democratic politician, freed from West Bank

U.S. congressional candidate Brad Lander was among approximately 80 international and Israeli volunteers detained by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday. Lander, a Democratic nominee for New York's 10th congressional district, was assisting Palestinian farmers with their olive harvest near Bethlehem when the incident occurred. Israeli authorities claimed the group was operating without prior approval in a closed military zone and described their presence as a provocative act.

Lander, who was released hours later with a warning, stated that "harvesting olives isn't a crime" and criticized the Israeli occupation as a violation of international law. He highlighted that many other volunteers, including American and Israeli rabbis, remained in custody. The detention unfolded amidst increasing tensions and reported violence from Israeli settlers against Palestinians during the annual olive harvest, drawing international criticism.