Khirbet Zanuta, West Bank — U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna said armed Israeli settlers detained his group for more than an hour during a visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank this week.
Reuters reported that Khanna, a California Democrat, was touring the southern West Bank near Khirbet Zanuta when settlers carrying M4 rifles surrounded his van and blocked the road. Aide Cameron Kasky said the group was held for more than an hour before Israeli military forces intervened.
The Israeli military said troops arrived after receiving reports of vehicles being blocked and dispersed the settlers. Khanna said the incident showed the reality Palestinians face under occupation and criticized U.S. politicians who avoid speaking up for Palestinian human rights.
Khanna’s trip was organized around Palestinian-led programming as he considers a possible 2028 presidential run. Reuters reported that Democratic support for Israel has fallen sharply in recent years, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll finding Israel’s favorability among Democrats dropped from 59% in 2018 to 22% in May.
The incident adds to the Democratic Party’s internal debate over U.S. military aid, Israeli settlement expansion, and Palestinian rights.
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