Ro Khanna Says Armed Settlers Detained Him for 1 Hour in West Bank
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jul 11
Ro Khanna Says Armed Settlers Detained Him for 1 Hour in West Bank
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jul 11
Summary
More than an hour after armed Israeli settlers surrounded his group’s van near Khirbet Zanuta, Rep. Ro Khanna said police-like officers eventually intervened and freed them.
Khanna said the settlers carried U.S.-made M4 rifles, blocked the road and called in the Israeli military while his team appealed to the U.S. Embassy for help.
The Israeli military said troops and police dispersed civilians blocking vehicles near the hamlet, whose residents were driven out after violent settler raids following the 2023 Hamas attacks.
Khanna said the trip hardened his criticism of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and strengthened his interest in a 2028 presidential run.
The episode lands as Israel becomes a sharper Democratic divide: Reuters/Ipsos found its favorability among Democrats fell to 22% from 59% in 2018, while U.S. military aid still totals $3.8 billion a year.