US Congressman Claims Armed Israeli Settlers Detained Him in West Bank Village

Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna alleged on Saturday that he was detained by armed Israeli settlers during a visit to the West Bank earlier this week. Khanna said that on Thursday, his vehicle was surrounded near the Palestinian village of Khirbet Zanuta by a group of settlers carrying M4 rifles. He described the settlers as having destroyed the village and its school, and said they blocked the road and detained his group for over an hour. Khanna claimed that when the Israeli military was called, they sided with the settlers rather than the American delegation.

Khanna's aide, Cameron Kasky, confirmed to Reuters that the group was held for more than an hour and that they sought assistance from the US Embassy in Jerusalem. Eventually, Israeli police intervened and released them. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told Reuters that soldiers and police responded to reports of settlers blocking vehicles near Khirbet Zanuta, dispersed the settlers, and allowed the vehicles to continue. The IDF emphasized that its forces did not participate in blocking the road and that the identity of the armed individual is under investigation.

According to Kan 11 news, the Israeli police arrested several suspects for blocking a CNN crew's vehicle and causing damage in the area. Four suspects were detained and are under investigation after police found batons, pepper spray, and a knife in their vehicle. CNN correspondent Jeremy Diamond reported that armed settlers attacked their group and another press team with batons, stones, and a knife.

Khanna is known as a vocal critic of Israel within the Democratic Party and stated his visit focused solely on the West Bank, following a Palestinian-led program. The IDF and police responses indicate ongoing tensions between settlers and foreign visitors in the region.