Israeli forces detain international activists and US candidate in West Bank

Israeli military forces have stopped and detained multiple international volunteers accompanying Palestinian olive farmers in the occupied West Bank. Euronews and Agenzia Nova both report that the Italian Foreign Ministry is seeking clarification from Israel following the detention of several Italian activists. UPI and NBC News report that New York congressional candidate Brad Lander was also detained by Israeli forces while volunteering during the olive harvest. [1][4][6][7]

According to Euronews, four Italian women were stopped by the Israeli Defence Forces in the village of al-Bweib, south of Hebron. That detention follows similar measures taken earlier against two other Italian activists, named by Euronews as Manuel and Alberto Tartarott. Agenzia Nova noted that a total of five Italian activists were arrested. [1][7]

Lander stated on social media that he was detained alongside a group of rabbis and volunteers while harvesting olives in a grove, according to UPI. AOL reported that the American congressional candidate was later released after being held. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Lander was participating in the harvest near Nehalim when he was detained. [4][8][12]

The detentions occur amid wider reports of conflict surrounding the annual harvest. According to Irish Catholic, Israeli settlers have attacked Palestinians in multiple West Bank villages, including the Christian town of Taybeh. The outlet noted that Israel has introduced new regulations this year prohibiting Palestinians from harvesting in Area C. [3]