US Congressman Ro Khanna Detained by Israeli Settlers During West Bank Visit

Incident During West Bank Visit

During a recent trip to the occupied West Bank, US Congressman Ro Khanna reported that he and his delegation were held for over an hour by armed Israeli settlers. Khanna characterized this experience as a raw insight into the realities of life under Israeli occupation. This incident coincides with his contemplation of a presidential run in 2028.

The confrontation occurred on Wednesday in Khirbet Zanuta, a Palestinian village that has faced numerous settler assaults in recent years. Khanna recounted that their vehicle was encircled by settlers armed with American-made M4 rifles after visiting a village reportedly destroyed by these settlers. He stated, "We were at a village that Israeli settlers had destroyed... and these hoodlums came in with machine guns. They blocked the road and then called the IDF, which sided with them instead of the Americans," as he shared with reporters during his visit.

Cameron Kasky, an aide traveling with Khanna, mentioned that they reached out to the US Embassy in Jerusalem while being detained. Eventually, Israeli police arrived, dispersed the settlers, and cleared the way for the delegation to continue. The Israeli military confirmed that they responded to reports of civilians obstructing vehicles near Khirbet Zanuta, stating that security personnel intervened to allow the vehicles to pass. However, the Israeli police have not publicly commented on the incident, and the US Embassy has yet to release a statement.

Khanna's Presidential Aspirations

Khanna weighs 2028 presidential run

As the incident unfolded, Khanna expressed that he is seriously considering a bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028. He remarked, "I'm strongly considering it and I'm more resolved to consider it after this trip." His visit coincided with that of Rahm Emanuel, former Chief of Staff under Obama, who is also seen as a potential presidential candidate. Emanuel cautioned in Tel Aviv that Israeli policies towards Palestinians are diminishing support for the US-Israel relationship among Democratic voters.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza and Israel's actions in the occupied territories continue to create divisions within the Democratic Party as the midterm elections approach. Progressive lawmakers are increasingly advocating for conditions on US military aid to Israel, which receives around $3.8 billion annually.

Speaking from Turmus Ayya, a Palestinian town in the central West Bank, Khanna noted that many Democratic leaders fail to recognize the growing importance of the Israel-Palestine issue for younger voters and progressives. He emphasized that he focused his visit solely on the West Bank, engaging with Palestinians to gain a deeper understanding of the situation. "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," Khanna stated.

Israel has firmly rejected claims of genocide in Gaza and denies practicing apartheid in the West Bank. The Israeli government also contests the widely accepted international perspective that its settlements in the occupied West Bank breach international law, asserting that the territory is disputed and referencing historical Jewish ties to the area. While criticism of Israeli policies is rising within certain factions of the Democratic Party, support for Israel remains robust among most Republicans, although some members of former President Trump's coalition have begun to question the extent of ongoing American military support.