11.07.2026 23:00
US Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, representing California, was detained by Israeli settlers and Israeli soldiers during his visit to the occupied West Bank on Palestinian land. Khanna said, "I felt powerless in this situation. If they can make even an American Congressman feel powerless, imagine what Palestinians under occupation feel every day."
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna of California was detained by armed Israeli settlers and Israeli soldiers during a visit to the West Bank. Khanna said, "If they can make even a U.S. Congress member feel powerless, imagine what Palestinians feel every day."
CONGRESSMAN DETAINED
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna of California reported that he was detained by armed illegal Israeli settlers during a visit to the occupied West Bank. In a statement on his social media account, Khanna released footage of the incident, saying, "Israeli settlers carrying American-made M4 rifles detained me and other Americans with me during my visit to Palestine. When the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) arrived, they sided with the settlers and allowed the detention to continue. They made a big mistake. You will hear more soon."
"SETTLERS CURSED IN HEBREW AND ARABIC"
"Settlers mocked Americans and cursed in Hebrew and Arabic"
According to a report by the U.S.-based New York Times, Khanna was visiting the Palestinian village of Khirbet Zanuta in the southern West Bank, which was abandoned due to increasing settler attacks and later demolished.
Based on initial information and footage shared by a Khanna aide and a security officer, a vehicle with armed individuals suddenly blocked the narrow exit road of the village during the visit. It was reported that the armed individuals began mocking Khanna and his team, shouting curses in Hebrew and Arabic, and kicking the tires of their minibus.
The report stated that soon after, another vehicle with more people arrived at the scene. When two Israeli military vehicles arrived, Khanna thought they had come to assist with passage. However, according to Khanna, the soldiers smoked at the scene, chatted with the settlers, and blocked the road with another vehicle after they left.
"IMAGINE WHAT PALESTINIANS FEEL EVERY DAY"
Commenting on the incident, Khanna said, "I felt powerless in this situation. Given that I am someone with many privileges in life, that is not an easy feeling."
Khanna stated that after negotiations with the U.S. Embassy in Israel and the Israeli police, he was allowed to continue his journey. He said, "If they can make even a U.S. Congress member feel powerless for 90 minutes, imagine what Palestinians under occupation feel every day."
Khanna said the incident was the scariest part of the three-day visit organized by a member of his team. Israeli military representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
"I WILL TELL WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE WEST BANK"
Khanna, who is considering running in the planned 2028 U.S. presidential election, said what he saw in the West Bank would influence his political views and potential presidential candidacy. Stating that if he runs, Palestinian rights will be a key pillar of his campaign, Khanna said, "I have a unique perspective to offer on the injustices faced by Palestinians. Whether I run or not, I will go to every corner of America to tell their stories and what is happening in the West Bank."
Khanna said what he saw in the West Bank convinced him that the region's problems cannot be solved solely by changing the Israeli government. The congressman said, "One thing this made me realize is how difficult a two-state solution would be in practice. It is clear that it would require removing many violent settlers from the area. The reality on the ground is much more brutal, much harder, and more complex."
"WE SAW APARTHEID-LIKE CONDITIONS AND INEQUALITY"
Khanna, who said he felt for the first time in his life that his "skin color was different" during his visit to Palestine, added, "We truly saw apartheid-like conditions and inequality. If any American knew the details of what is happening here, they would not support it."
Khanna, who was born to a family that emigrated from India to the U.S. and grew up in Pennsylvania, said he became more aware of his ethnicity during this visit than ever before.
JOURNALISTS ALSO ATTACKED
Meanwhile, in the West Bank town of Sincil, a CNN crew and other journalists covering the anniversary of a Palestinian's death were attacked by Israeli settlers with stones, sticks, and knives. Four of the attackers were detained.