Indian-origin US Congressman Ro Khanna has suggested that he is “strongly considering” a run for the White House in 2028, with his recent visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank likely to become a key part of his campaign.Khanna’s remarks came after he said he was detained for nearly 90 minutes by a group of armed Israeli settlers while visiting a Palestinian village that had been destroyed in recent settler attacks. He alleged that settlers carrying US-made M4 rifles blocked his vehicle and that Israeli soldiers supported the settlers instead of helping him.“Imagine how people feel every day, Palestinians under the occupation, if they could make an American congressperson feel powerless for 90 minutes,” Khanna told The New York Times, describing the incident as a deeply frightening experience.Speaking to Reuters, Khanna said he was “strongly considering” a presidential bid and said his experience in the West Bank would shape his campaign. “I have something unique to offer about the injustices of Palestinians. I’m going to go to every corner of America, regardless of whether I run or not, and tell their stories and tell the story of what is happening in the West Bank,” he said.Khanna’s position reflects a growing divide within the Democratic Party, where progressive leaders have become increasingly critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Several Democrats have also called for limiting US military aid to Israel.Beyond foreign policy, Khanna has outlined an agenda focused on economic opportunity and inclusion. “I represent the economic future, and I have a clear road map of how we’re going to make sure every part of this country has an economic stake in the future,” he said, highlighting worker ownership, AI-driven growth, healthcare and childcare.Khanna, however, faces a competitive Democratic field. Polls conducted in 2026 have shown former Vice President Kamala Harris leading prospective primary voters, while Gavin Newsom and Pete Buttigieg also remain prominent contenders.

Indian-origin Congressman Ro Khanna says he is "strongly considering" a 2028 US presidential run. He says his West Bank visit and focus on Palestinian rights will shape his campaign.

Indian-origin US Congressman Ro Khanna has suggested that he is “strongly considering” a run for the White House in 2028, with his recent visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank likely to become a key part of his campaign. Khanna’s remarks came after he said he was detained for nearly 90 minutes by a group of armed Israeli settlers while visiting a Palestinian village that had been destroyed in recent settler attacks. He alleged that settlers carrying US-made M4 rifles blocked his vehicle and that Israeli soldiers supported the settlers instead of helping him. “Imagine how people feel every day, Palestinians under the occupation, if they could make an American congressperson feel powerless for 90 minutes,” Khanna told The New York Times, describing the incident as a deeply frightening experience. Speaking to Reuters, Khanna said he was “strongly considering” a presidential bid and said his experience in the West Bank would shape his campaign. “I have something unique to offer about the injustices of Palestinians. I’m going to go to every corner of America, regardless of whether I run or not, and tell their stories and tell the story of what is happening in the West Bank,” he said. Khanna’s position reflects a growing divide within the Democratic Party, where progressive leaders have become increasingly critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Several Democrats have also called for limiting US military aid to Israel. Beyond foreign policy, Khanna has outlined an agenda focused on economic opportunity and inclusion. “I represent the economic future, and I have a clear road map of how we’re going to make sure every part of this country has an economic stake in the future,” he said, highlighting worker ownership, AI-driven growth, healthcare and childcare. Khanna, however, faces a competitive Democratic field. Polls conducted in 2026 have shown former Vice President Kamala Harris leading prospective primary voters, while Gavin Newsom and Pete Buttigieg also remain prominent contenders.

Indian-origin Congressman Ro Khanna says he is "strongly considering" a 2028 US presidential run. He says his West Bank visit and focus on Palestinian rights will shape his campaign.

Ro Khanna eyeing 2028 US presidential race? Indian-origin Democrat says, ‘I have something unique to offer...’

US Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna on Saturday (July 11) claimed he was detained by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank during a visit this week aimed at assessing the human impact of the Israeli occupation.&nbsp;The California representative said the incident took place on Wednesday while he was visiting the Palestinian hamlet of Khirbet Zanuta, where residents have previously been displaced following repeated settler attacks.&nbsp;According to Khanna, the group's van was surrounded and blocked by armed Israeli settlers carrying American-made M4 machine guns before they called the Israeli military."We were at a village that Israeli settlers had destroyed; they had destroyed the school, they had destroyed that village, and we were just looking at it," said Khanna.&nbsp;"And these hoodlums come in with machine guns – M4, an American-made machine gun – and they detain us. 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," Khanna said, referring to the Israeli military.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-s-supreme-leader-vows-to-avenge-the-blood-of-his-slain-predecessor-and-father-soon-1783769496896">Ro Khanna says armed Israeli settlers detained him during West Bank visit</a>&nbsp;An aide travelling with Khanna, Cameron Kasky, said the group was held for more than an hour before officers who appeared to be Israeli police arrived and allowed them to leave.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Israeli settlers, brandishing American made M4s, detained me &amp; other Americans on my trip to Palestine. When the IDF arrived, they sided with the settlers &amp; continued our detention. They made a huge mistake. You will be hearing more soon. <a href="https://t.co/rZw8bRAn64">https://t.co/rZw8bRAn64</a> <a href="https://t.co/4z50Ye4I7K">pic.twitter.com/4z50Ye4I7K</a>&mdash; Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) <a href="https://x.com/RoKhanna/status/2075934812334915801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The incident comes as Khanna has been at the centre of several high-profile political issues, including leading efforts to push for the release of the Epstein files while taking an increasingly vocal position on US-Israel ties. He is also considering a run for the 2028 US presidential election.&nbsp;The Indian-American lawmaker said the visit had strengthened his resolve to enter the presidential race.&nbsp;"I'm strongly considering it, and I'm more resolved to consider it after this trip," he said.Khanna also argued that the Israel-Palestine conflict has become a defining moral issue for the Democratic Party.&nbsp;"If you're unwilling to speak up for Palestinian human rights, if you're unwilling to speak up against the genocide in Gaza, the apartheid in the West Bank, then you are morally compromised," he said.&nbsp;Israel has repeatedly rejected allegations that it is committing "genocide" in Gaza or operating an apartheid system in the West Bank.&nbsp;According to a Reuters poll, Israel's favourability among Democratic voters has declined sharply in recent years. At the same time, a growing number of Democratic lawmakers have called for placing conditions on the nearly $3.8 billion in annual US military aid provided to Israel.

US Congressman Ro Khanna claimed armed Israeli settlers detained his group during a visit to the occupied West Bank, an experience he said strengthened his resolve to consider a 2028 presidential bid.

US Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna on Saturday (July 11) claimed he was detained by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank during a visit this week aimed at assessing the human impact of the Israeli occupation. The California representative said the incident took place on Wednesday while he was visiting the Palestinian hamlet of Khirbet Zanuta, where residents have previously been displaced following repeated settler attacks. According to Khanna, the group's van was surrounded and blocked by armed Israeli settlers carrying American-made M4 machine guns before they called the Israeli military. "We were at a village that Israeli settlers had destroyed; they had destroyed the school, they had destroyed that village, and we were just looking at it," said Khanna. "And these hoodlums come in with machine guns – M4, an American-made machine gun – and they detain us. 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," Khanna said, referring to the Israeli military. Also Read: Ro Khanna says armed Israeli settlers detained him during West Bank visit An aide travelling with Khanna, Cameron Kasky, said the group was held for more than an hour before officers who appeared to be Israeli police arrived and allowed them to leave.

US Congressman Ro Khanna claimed armed Israeli settlers detained his group during a visit to the occupied West Bank, an experience he said strengthened his resolve to consider a 2028 presidential bid.

US lawmaker Ro Khanna says armed Israeli settlers detained him during West Bank visit

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Ro Khanna eyeing 2028 US presidential race? Indian-origin Democrat says, ‘I have something unique to offer...’

US lawmaker Ro Khanna says armed Israeli settlers detained him in West Bank