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Ro Khanna said armed Israeli settlers stopped and detained him during a West Bank visit. He said the episode exposed how powerless Palestinians can feel under occupation.
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Washington,UPDATED: Jul 11, 2026 21:46 IST
Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna, seen as a possible contender in the 2028 US presidential race, said on Saturday that armed Israeli settlers detained him and other Americans during a visit to Palestine. Khanna, a Democrat from California, said the Israeli Defence Forces later arrived and continued the detention.
The incident took place on Wednesday during Khanna's visit to the ruins of Khirbet Zanuta, a Bedouin village in the southern West Bank that was abandoned after attacks by Israeli settlers. His account was also reported by a photographer from The New York Times who was travelling with him.
In a post on X, Khanna said, "Israeli settlers, brandishing American-made M4S, detained me and other Americans on my trip to Palestine. When the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) arrived, they sided with the settlers and continued our detention. They made a huge mistake."
The New York Times quoted Khanna as saying, "I felt powerless in that situation, which is not an easy thing, as I have a lot of privilege in life." According to the report, Khanna was eventually allowed to continue his journey after calls were made to the US embassy and Israeli police.
Khanna also said, "Imagine how people feel every day, Palestinians under the occupation, if they could make an American congressperson feel powerless for 90 minutes." US politicians from both the Democratic and Republican parties have travelled to the West Bank from time to time since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel triggered the war in the region.
Among those who visited the region last year were Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic leaders Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley. Former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel is also visiting Israel. Emanuel, who briefly served as White House chief of staff during Barack Obama's presidency, is also seen as a possible presidential aspirant. Khanna's account of the detention has now drawn attention to his West Bank visit and the circumstances around it.
With PTI Inputs
- Ends
Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Jul 11, 2026 21:46 IST
