US Congressman Khanna Detained by Israeli Settlers, Accuses IDF of Lying

U.S. Representative Ro Khanna was detained for approximately one hour by armed Israeli settlers and soldiers while visiting a Palestinian village in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, July 9. The California Democrat was traveling through the South Hebron hills near Khirbet Zanuta when masked men carrying M4 rifles blocked his convoy, preventing the group from leaving. Khanna said the settlers mocked and videotaped his group while Israeli soldiers arrived but did not intervene to clear the road; the group was only released after contacting the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and Israeli police.

The Israeli Defense Forces issued a statement saying troops "quickly dispersed" Israeli civilians blocking the road upon receiving a report, and that soldiers "did not take part in blocking the road." Khanna rejected this account, stating on NBC News on Sunday: "The IDF is lying. What happened was unprecedented. They had violent settlers detain American citizens, including an American government official." He described settlers brandishing rifles, kicking the tires of the van, and mocking the group while expressing fear for their safety. Khanna also called for an investigation into four IDF officers and an Israeli settler named Yinon Levi, whom he accused of involvement in the detention and of prior violence against Palestinians.

Israeli officials responded defensively, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterizing the settlers as "juvenile delinquents" rather than part of the law-abiding community. Israel's U.S. Ambassador Michael Leiter accused Khanna of staging a political stunt, claiming he had rejected Israeli coordination of the visit and suggesting the timing was meant to distract from his past support of a Senate candidate facing sexual misconduct allegations. Leiter noted without evidence that Khanna may have delayed releasing video of the incident for political purposes. Khanna countered that he had informed Israel of his travel and reiterated his call for accountability.

The incident reflects escalating tensions between Israel and U.S. Democrats over the Gaza war and Israeli settlement policy. The West Bank has experienced a surge in settler violence and settlement expansion in recent years, with the international community widely considering settlements illegal under international law. Khanna's detention also coincided with attacks on foreign journalists in another West Bank community; four suspects were arrested for that incident. The congressman used the experience to highlight the vulnerability of Palestinians, stating: "If this can happen to an American member of Congress, imagine what life is like for Palestinians who have no smartphones, no security, and no national platform."