US lawmaker slams Israeli army after settlers detain him on Palestine trip

A Democratic member of the US Congress, Ro Khanna, disclosed that he and his accompanying group were held by rifle-carrying Israeli settlers during a visit to Palestinian territories. According to Khanna's account shared on social media, when Israeli military personnel arrived at the scene, they aligned with the settlers and maintained the detention rather than securing the Americans' release. Khanna characterized the settlers as armed with US-manufactured assault rifles and described the experience as revealing the arrogance of both the young settlers and Israeli military personnel involved.

Cameron Kasky, an aide accompanying Khanna, reported that the group was held for over an hour and contacted the US embassy in Jerusalem for assistance. The detention ended after officers identified as police intervened. The Israeli military's account stated that troops and police responded after receiving notification of settlers blocking vehicles near Khirbet Zanuta, a Palestinian hamlet whose residents had been forcibly displaced during the onset of Israel's 2023 military operations in Gaza.

The incident has intensified scrutiny of settler violence in the occupied West Bank, which rights organizations say has accelerated in recent years. Khanna, who is exploring a potential presidential campaign for 2028, has been among lawmakers pushing Congress to reconsider US military assistance to Israel. The House Rules Committee recently cancelled a scheduled vote on legislation co-sponsored by Khanna that would terminate US military funding for Israel.