&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "US lawmaker Ro Khanna says armed Israeli settlers detained him during West Bank visit")
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.
Trending Stories
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
No connection between Jantar Mantar protesters and Pakistan-based ISI terror module, Punjab Police clarify
)
'Massive attack coming... wait, never mind': Iran mocks US 'theatre diplomacy,' rejects Trump's claim of Hormuz progress
)
Major relief for TN CM Vijay as wife Sangeetha withdraws infidelity and divorce petition
)
France offers deal for 114 Rafale fighter jets, with 94 to be made in India
)
Ukrainian astronomers see gargantuan objects dashing at 39,600 kmph on the Moon - 'They can reach Earth in 20 minutes'
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
Explained | Can India reach WTC final with a series win in Sri Lanka?
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Primetime trailer: Robert Pattinson channels Chris Hansen in A24's dark crime thriller
)
Zendaya and Tom Holland celebrate their marriage with private reception in England
)
Lightning bolt strikes football field in Thailand, killing a player during a match
)
Vishal Bhardwaj to develop film on Tarun Tejpal case after latest court verdict: Report
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Can an S-400 operate in the desert?
)
Thailand teen killed grandparents before shooting teachers at school – What we know about suspect
)
Squid Game: Netflix shelves David Fincher's long-awaited American spin-off; Here's why
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
The Paradise teaser: Nani's intense avatar and stunning visuals impress fans; new release date announced
)
The genetic roots of Tamils: 75,000 DNA markers decoded in latest study of Sangam-era settlement
)
NZ female politician joins meeting from bathroom with underwear hanging - 'You can see my washing, you can see me'
)
‘We are ready to talk’: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren reaches out to protesting students
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
Bluefly: Priyanka Chopra joins Russell Crowe for new sci-fi action thriller
)
'Dhoni Made Fleming Great': Panesar says ECB made the wrong choice for England Test coach
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Born in the USA? Trump targets 'birth tourism' with new birthright citizenship executive order
)
Michael 2 plans revealed: Makers to start filming soon with THIS release window
)
OpenAI reportedly building donut-shaped ChatGPT smart speaker for homes
)
‘Certain munitions are unlimited, others...’: Did Trump admit some US weapons supplies were limited?
)
Will ordinary Indian users have to pay for UPI? Nirmala Sitharaman breaks silence on Congress' MDR fee claim
)
At least 4 killed 15 injured in shooting at school near Bangkok
)
US may force more visa applicants to make social media accounts public under Trump's new plan
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.
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.
The Indian-American lawmaker said the visit had strengthened his resolve to enter the presidential race.
"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.
"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.
Israel has repeatedly rejected allegations that it is committing "genocide" in Gaza or operating an apartheid system in the West Bank.
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.
