US Congressman Ro Khanna reported that he was detained for 90 minutes by armed Israeli settlers during a visit to the occupied West Bank on Wednesday. Khanna, along with his team, was surrounded by settlers wielding M4 rifles while traveling in a van. He stated that when the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) arrived, they sided with the settlers and continued the detention, according to a statement he made on social media.
Key Details
The IDF confirmed that troops and police acted after receiving reports of settlers blocking vehicles in the area. They claimed they dispersed the civilians and allowed the vehicles to continue. Khanna described the situation, saying,
We were at a village that Israeli settlers had destroyed… and these hoodlums come in with machine guns.
He expressed concern over the IDF's response, noting they did not support the Americans in the situation.
During the detention, Khanna's aides contacted the US Embassy in Jerusalem for assistance. They were eventually released after police intervention. The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the region, where approximately 700,000 Israelis live in settlements deemed illegal under international law, alongside an estimated 3.3 million Palestinians.
Background
The US has historically supported Israel, but incidents like this raise questions about the treatment of American officials in the region. Khanna, who is considering a presidential run in 2028, emphasized the need for accountability regarding actions taken by settlers and military forces.
Related coverage: US Lawmaker Ro Khanna Detained by Israeli Settlers in West.
Limited direct market relevance; the development matters more for diplomatic relations than for traded assets. Investors will watch for any official US response or policy shift regarding Israeli settlements in the coming weeks.