Rep. Ro Khanna says armed Israeli settlers detained him in West Bank

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Set us as preferred Rep.Ro Khanna (D-Fremont) said armed Israeli settlers detained him and other U.S.

citizens during a recent tour of the occupied West Bank in an incident that is thrusting the California congressman into the international debate over human rights in the Palestinian territories and U.S.foreign aid to Israel as he openly weighs a 2028 presidential bid.Khanna said settlers surrounded his group’s van on Wednesday near the Palestinian village of Khirbet Zanuta in the southern West Bank.

He described visiting an area that settlers had destroyed, including a school.He said settlers carrying U.S.-made weapons detained him and his party.

The congressman said the Israel Defense Forces later arrived but sided with the settlers.A group of officers who appeared to be police eventually secured the group’s release, he said.“If they will do this to an American congressman, imagine what is happening to Palestinian families who are just trying to live,” Khanna said in a statement.

“I expect Israel will prosecute the violent settlers and IDF soldiers who detained American citizens.”Khanna said that the settlers “made a huge mistake.”Visiting Israel has been a bipartisan rite for members of Congress for decades.Khanna instead chose a West Bank trip.

His visit took place amid growing Democratic unease with Israel’s military conduct since the Oct.7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the ensuing Israeli war in Gaza.

World & Nation Israeli military operations in the Jenin refugee camp have displaced tens of thousands of Palestinians, for whom the camp has long been a symbol of resistance.At least one congressional representative was critical of the incident — for reasons other than the detention.Rep.

Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) dismissed the trip on a post to X.“Sounds like another plea for publicity,” Murp...