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Rep. Ro Khanna says he was detained by Israeli settlers during West Bank visit
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., was detained by Israeli settlers armed with U.S.-made M4 rifles during a West Bank visit, highlighting tensions in an area frequently affected by settler attacks on Palestinians.
- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israeli police later intervened, dispersing the settlers and warning Khanna’s group about entering a closed military zone, with no violence reported during the incident.
- Khanna criticized the treatment of Palestinians and expressed frustration with Israeli authorities, calling for accountability for settlers and soldiers involved in detaining American citizens.
- The incident underscores growing divisions within the Democratic Party over U.S. support for Israel, as Israel's policies toward Palestinians have led to declining favorability among Democrats and calls to reconsider military aid.
- Khanna, considering a 2028 presidential run, visited the West Bank to gain an unfiltered perspective on the Israeli occupation and has condemned what he described as apartheid and human rights abuses against Palestinians.
