Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna has alleged that he and members of his delegation were detained by armed Israeli settlers while visiting the occupied West Bank, describing the encounter as a stark illustration of the security situation facing Palestinians in the territory.
Khanna, who represents California in the U.S. House of Representatives, said the incident occurred during a visit to Khirbet Zanuta, a Palestinian hamlet in the southern West Bank. According to his account, settlers carrying U.S.-made M4 rifles blocked the group’s vehicle and prevented them from leaving for an extended period before Israeli police intervened.
Photo Credit: Reuters
Khanna Claims Israeli Troops Backed Settlers
Speaking after the visit, Khanna said his delegation had been touring a village that he said had been heavily damaged by settler violence when armed settlers surrounded their van.
He alleged that the settlers blocked the road before Israeli military personnel arrived. According to Khanna, the soldiers did not initially act against the settlers and instead continued the group’s detention. In a post on X, he said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) “sided with the settlers” after reaching the scene.
An aide traveling with the congressman said the delegation sought assistance from the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem while they were being held. The group was eventually able to leave after police officers arrived and intervened.
Israeli Military Disputes Parts of the Account
The Israeli military acknowledged responding to reports that settlers had obstructed vehicles near Khirbet Zanuta but rejected suggestions that its troops detained Khanna’s group.
In a statement, the IDF said soldiers and police officers arrived after receiving reports that Israeli civilians were blocking traffic. The military said its personnel dispersed the settlers and allowed the vehicles to continue their journey.
The military has not publicly addressed Khanna’s allegation that soldiers initially sided with the settlers.
Visit Focused on Conditions in the West Bank
Khanna said his trip was intended to examine the impact of Israel’s occupation on Palestinian communities and to gain a firsthand understanding of conditions on the ground.
The California lawmaker has been among the Democratic Party’s more outspoken voices calling for stronger scrutiny of Israeli government policies during the Gaza conflict and in the occupied West Bank. During his visit, he said he wanted to hear directly from Palestinian residents rather than rely solely on official briefings.
The congressman has also indicated that he is considering a run for the U.S. presidency in 2028, saying the trip reinforced his interest in shaping American foreign policy.
Rising Scrutiny of West Bank Settler Violence
The incident comes amid continued international concern over violence involving Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
Israel has established settlements across the territory since capturing the West Bank and East Jerusalem during the 1967 Middle East war. Most of the international community, including the United Nations, considers the settlements illegal under international law, a position Israel rejects. Today, hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers live in the West Bank alongside millions of Palestinians, and clashes in the territory have intensified since the outbreak of the Gaza war.
Recent attacks involving settlers have drawn increasing criticism from international governments and human rights organizations, with concerns centered on the safety of Palestinian communities and the broader impact on prospects for a negotiated peace.
The differing accounts from Khanna and the Israeli military are likely to fuel further debate in Washington over U.S. policy toward Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
While no independent investigation into the incident has been announced, the episode has become another focal point in the growing discussion among U.S. lawmakers about security, human rights and the role of American support in the region.
