Israeli Ambassador Denounces US Congressman Ro Khanna's West Bank Detention Claims as Provocation

Israeli Ambassador to the US, Yacov Livne, sharply criticized Congressman Ro Khanna on Tuesday for alleging he was detained by armed settlers during a visit to a Palestinian village in the West Bank. Livne called Khanna's claims a "cheap media provocation" and insisted on presenting Israel's version of events, emphasizing facts over accusations.

According to Livne, Khanna did not coordinate his visit with Israeli authorities or the US Embassy in Jerusalem, despite offers to fully arrange the schedule to avoid misunderstandings. Khanna reportedly arrived accompanied by Palestinian activists, New York Times journalists, and a representative from J Street, an organization Livne described as actively opposing the Israeli government in Congress.

Livne stated that Khanna and his group entered a closed military zone without prior approval, causing suspicion as their vehicle was unknown to the Israeli military. However, once Khanna's identity was confirmed, he was allowed to proceed. The ambassador stressed that neither Khanna nor his entourage were threatened by soldiers or armed civilians at any point.

Livne accused Khanna of exploiting the incident to accuse Israel of "genocide" and "apartheid" in media statements. He invited Khanna to meet at the Israeli Embassy in Washington for a detailed discussion of his complaints. Khanna, meanwhile, continued to deny Israel's account and called Livne a "liar" in interviews and social media posts.

The incident has sparked growing criticism of Khanna's conduct in the US, including coverage by the New York Post and confrontations on social media platforms like X, where Fox News hosts and senior Democratic figures questioned Khanna's version and handling of the event.