US Congressman Ro Khanna has stated that he was detained for approximately 90 minutes by armed Israeli settlers while visiting the occupied West Bank. The 49-year-old politician recounted that he was traveling in a van with his staff on Wednesday when the group surrounded them, wielding M4 rifles.
The Standoff
Taking to social media platform X, Khanna expressed frustration over the response of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) upon their arrival. He alleged that instead of de-escalating the situation, the military sided with the settlers, effectively prolonging the detention. According to Khanna, the group had been visiting a location where settlers had destroyed local infrastructure, including a school and the village itself, and they were observing the damage when they were confronted.
Khanna described the individuals as 'hoodlums' carrying American-made M4 machine guns. He stated, 'They block off the road. And then they call the IDF and the IDF is on their side, not on the side of the Americans.' The incident highlights the high tensions in the region surrounding settler activities.
Military Response
In response to inquiries regarding the event, the Israeli military released a statement confirming that troops and police officers had been dispatched to the area following reports that settlers were obstructing traffic. The IDF stated, 'Upon their arrival, the troops dispersed the Israeli civilians and allowed the vehicles to continue on their way.'
Embassy Involvement
During the period of detention, a staffer accompanying Khanna indicated that they reached out to the US Embassy in Jerusalem to seek assistance. The group was eventually released after a team of police officers intervened in the dispute. Khanna, a father of two, is currently considering a potential run for the presidency in 2028.
Regional Context
Since the 1967 Middle East war, Israel has established approximately 160 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, regions that Palestinians envision as part of a future state alongside Gaza. Currently, about 3.3 million Palestinians reside in these areas alongside roughly 700,000 Jewish settlers. Under international law, the presence of these settlements is considered illegal.
