Ro Khanna’s West Bank Visit
US Congressman Ro Khanna said he was detained for around 90 minutes by armed Israeli settlers during a visit to the occupied West Bank.
Khanna said the incident happened on Wednesday while he was travelling with his team near Turmus Ayya, close to Ramallah. According to his statement, several settlers carrying M4 rifles surrounded their vehicle and blocked their movement.
The congressman said the situation continued even after Israeli forces arrived. He claimed that the soldiers supported the settlers instead of helping his group leave the area.
Khanna Describes Encounter With Armed Settlers
In a statement shared on social media, Khanna said he was visiting the ruins of Khirbet Zanuta as part of a fact finding trip. He wanted to examine the effects of Israeli occupation and the impact on Palestinian communities.
Khanna said the area had suffered major damage, including the destruction of a village school. He claimed that armed settlers arrived and stopped their vehicle while they were inspecting the location.
During the detention, Khanna’s team contacted the US Embassy in Jerusalem for assistance. He said they were released later after police officers arrived and helped end the situation.
Israeli Military Responds to Claims
The Israeli military said troops and police officers responded after receiving reports that settlers had blocked vehicles in the area.
According to the military, officers arrived at the scene, separated the Israeli civilians, and allowed the vehicles to continue their journey.
The military has not accepted Khanna’s description of the incident and said its forces acted to resolve the situation.
Background of West Bank Settlements
Israel has established around 160 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where approximately 700,000 Jewish settlers live. Palestinians consider these areas part of a future independent state.
Around 3.3 million Palestinians also live in the West Bank alongside these settlements.
Many countries and international organizations consider Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank illegal under international law, while Israel disputes this position.
Political Future of Ro Khanna
Ro Khanna, a Democratic member of the US House of Representatives, has gained attention for his views on foreign policy issues. He is also considered a possible candidate for the 2028 US presidential race.
The incident during his West Bank visit has added further attention to discussions about Israeli settler activity, Palestinian communities, and US involvement in the region.
