Detained by settlers, US Democrat Ro Khanna now faces pro-Israel attacks

US lawmaker Ro Khanna reported that he and his tour group were detained by armed Israeli settlers during a trip to Palestine. Khanna stated that when the Israeli army arrived, they sided with the settlers and continued the detention. He accused the Israeli army of supporting the settlers and warned that Israeli forces made a "huge mistake." The incident occurred on Thursday, and Khanna shared his account on X on Saturday. He described the settlers as "hoodlums" armed with US-made assault rifles and noted the soldiers' lack of respect for detaining Americans. This event has drawn attention to settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

US Congressman Ro Khanna reported being detained by armed Israeli settlers during a recent visit to the occupied West Bank. Khanna stated that the settlers, carrying US-made weapons, blocked his delegation's van in an area that has seen repeated settler attacks. He further alleged that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) refused to intervene and appeared to side with the settlers. Khanna described the experience as a firsthand view of Palestinian realities under occupation, highlighting the settlers' "arrogance" and the IDF's "impunity." The congressman and his group were eventually able to leave after contacting the US embassy and Israeli police. The Israeli military confirmed responding to a report of settlers obstructing vehicles.

US Democratic lawmaker Ro Khanna reported being detained by Israeli settlers during a visit to the West Bank this week. Khanna stated that his group's van was surrounded by settlers armed with US-made M4 rifles while they were observing a destroyed Palestinian village. He claimed the settlers blocked their road and contacted the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), alleging the IDF sided with the settlers. Khanna's aide said they were held for over an hour and eventually released after police intervention. The Israeli military confirmed that troops and police intervened after receiving a report of settlers blocking vehicles near a Palestinian hamlet. Khanna described the visit as an effort to understand the impact of Israeli occupation.

US Representative Ro Khanna stated he was detained for 90 minutes by armed Israeli settlers while visiting a village in the occupied West Bank. Khanna reported that the settlers, armed with American-made machine guns, blocked the road and detained him and his aides after they had been observing a destroyed village. He claimed the settlers then contacted the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), who he said sided with the settlers. Khanna's aide contacted the US Embassy in Jerusalem for assistance, and they were released after police intervention. The article notes that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law.