US Congressman Ro Khanna has said he was detained by armed Israeli settlers while visiting the occupied West Bank, describing the incident as a stark example of the conditions faced by Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.

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The California Democrat told Reuters that the incident occurred on Wednesday during a visit to a Palestinian village in the southern West Bank that has experienced repeated attacks by Israeli settlers.

Khanna said his delegation had been inspecting a village where buildings, including a school, had been destroyed when settlers carrying US-made M4 rifles surrounded their vehicle and blocked the road.

Khanna Criticises Israeli Forces

According to Khanna, the settlers prevented the group from leaving before contacting the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

"And these hoodlums ... detain us. They block off the road. And then they call the IDF and the IDF is on their side, not on the side of the Americans," Khanna told Reuters.

He said the settlers and Israeli soldiers showed little concern that US citizens, including a member of Congress, were being held.

Khanna said the experience highlighted what he described as "the arrogance of power" and a culture created by a lack of accountability.

His aide, Cameron Kasky, also said on X that he witnessed the incident, writing that Israeli forces "showed up to back up the settlers, not the US congressman."

Khanna later told The New York Times that the group remained detained for about 90 minutes before being able to continue after contacting the US Embassy and Israeli police. He said the experience left him feeling powerless and offered insight into what many Palestinians endure under occupation.

Israeli Military Response

The Israeli military said troops and police responded after receiving reports that settlers were obstructing vehicles near the Palestinian hamlet of Khirbet Zanuta.

The village's residents were forced to leave following violent settler attacks after the Hamas assault on Israel in October 2023.

More than 700,000 Israelis live in settlements across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. The United Nations considers the settlements illegal under international law, although Israel disputes that position. Israel has also faced repeated international criticism over settler violence in the territory.

Political Remarks

Asked whether he plans to seek the US presidency, Khanna told Reuters he was "strongly considering it" and said the events during his trip had strengthened that resolve.

Khanna has been among the most outspoken Democratic critics of Israel's military campaign in Gaza and its occupation of the West Bank. He has also argued that US support for Israel's actions contributed to the Democratic Party's defeat in the 2024 presidential election.

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12 July 2026