A US congressman was detained for 90 minutes by armed Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, sparking a diplomatic incident. Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, was visiting the ruins of a destroyed village when his van was surrounded by settlers wielding M4 rifles.
Khanna, who is considering a presidential run in 2028, said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) arrived and “sided with the settlers,” continuing their detention. The incident occurred on Wednesday, and Khanna’s team was eventually released after a group of police officers intervened.
Israeli Settlements in the West Bank
Khanna was on a fact-finding visit to the West Bank to examine the impact of Israeli occupation. He visited the ruins of Khirbet Zanuta, a village that had been destroyed by Israeli settlers. The incident highlights the tense relationship between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the region.
Israel has built approximately 160 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, housing around 700,000 Jews. These settlements are considered illegal under international law, and an estimated 3.3 million Palestinians live alongside them.
The Israeli military released a statement saying that troops and police officers took action after receiving a report of settlers blocking vehicles in the area. However, Khanna’s account of the incident differs, with him stating that the IDF sided with the settlers.
Reactions and Implications
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of American officials in the region. Khanna’s team made appeals to the US Embassy in Jerusalem for help during their detention. The incident may also have implications for US-Israel relations, particularly given Khanna’s potential presidential run.
The detention of a US congressman by Israeli settlers is a rare and significant event, highlighting the complexities and challenges of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As the US continues to navigate its role in the region, incidents like this will likely have a lasting impact on diplomatic efforts.
