'Armed Settlers Detained Us': Ro Khanna Claims Israeli Settlers Blocked West Bank Visit

US Congressman Ro Khanna has made allegations that Israeli settlers briefly detained him while he was visiting Palestinian community in the occupied West Bank. This incident has again raised the issue of Israeli settler violence and US military assistance in the region. The Democrat from California said that the confrontation happened during his visit to Khirbet Zanuta, a place whose residents faced displacement after continuous settler attacks.

Khanna Alleges Armed Settlers Blocked His Group

Ro Khanna said that he was a part of the delegation who was inspecting a village which was destroyed by the armed settlers, the settlers came and surrounded their vehicle and also blocked the road.

"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," Khanna told Reuters.

He also made allegations to Israeli military and said, "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."

One of companion with Khanna, Cameron Kasky said that they were captured for more than an hour till the time they didn't connect with US Embassy in Jerusalem for the help. He said that after the Israeli security personnel intervened then they were allowed to continue their journey.

Israeli Military Responds To Incident

The Israeli military also confirmed that they recieved the reports of Israeli civilians had blocked vehicles near Khirbet Zaruta. Israeli Military also cofirmed that police officers reached the spot and cleared the way for vehicles to proceed.

However, military didn't confirm that Khanna convoy was caputed by Settlers during the incident.

Khanna also said that he intentionally avoided the official meetings with Israeli authorities during the visit to better understand what conditions Palestinians faced in the occupied territory.

Congressman's Remarks On 2028 Presidential Bid

Ro Khanna who is Indian-American lawmaker said that the West Bank visit had forced him to think about his possible run for the White House in 2028. "I'm strongly considering it and I'm more resolved to consider it after this trip," he said.

Khanna said that Democratic Party has major moral issue of Israel-Palestine conflict. "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.

On the other hand, Israel has always denied accusations of operating genocide in Gaza or apartheid system in West Bank. Khanna's comments came at the time when there is divisions within the Democratic party over US's support for Israel has been quite visible.