New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday called for the immediate release of American activists detained by Israeli forces while accompanying Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest in the occupied West Bank.
In a statement posted on X, Mamdani said several New Yorkers, including rabbis and Democratic congressional nominee Brad Lander, had joined Palestinian farmers to support them during the harvest before being detained by Israeli authorities.
“Harvesting olives is not illegal. The occupation is,” Mamdani declared.
The mayor welcomed the release of Lander, a political ally, but expressed concern that other New Yorkers remained in Israeli custody.
“I am thankful that Brad has been released. But other New Yorkers remain detained, and they must be released immediately,” he said.
Mamdani also condemned Israel’s military actions against Palestinians, accusing the country of genocide and citing a death toll exceeding 74,000 people in recent years.
“The detention of these New Yorkers must end. The occupation must end. The genocide must end,” he added.
The mayor’s statement followed reports that Israeli forces had detained Lander alongside Palestinian farmers and international activists participating in an olive harvest in the town of Husan, west of Bethlehem.
Palestinian activist Amira Muslim told Anadolu that Israeli forces had detained approximately 45 foreign activists and 25 Israeli activists during the activity.
The detentions took place amid continuing tensions surrounding Palestinian access to agricultural land in the occupied West Bank.
The annual olive harvest is an important source of income for many Palestinian families, but farmers frequently report harassment and attacks by Israeli settlers during the season.
Reported incidents include physical assaults, restrictions on access to farmland, theft of harvested olives and damage to olive trees.
According to Palestinian figures cited in the report, approximately 750,000 Israeli settlers live across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in 194 settlements and around 400 outposts.
Mamdani’s remarks underscored his opposition to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and his demand that all New Yorkers detained while accompanying Palestinian farmers be released without delay.