Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna said he was detained by armed Israeli settlers during a West Bank visit, calling it a firsthand look at occupation as he mulls 2028 run.
Democratic Representative Ro Khanna said he was detained by armed Israeli settlers during a visit to the occupied West Bank this week. The incident occurred Wednesday when settlers carrying M4 rifles surrounded the van carrying Khanna and his delegation in the southern West Bank, an area where Palestinian residents face frequent settler violence.
Khanna told Reuters on Thursday from a Palestinian village that the detention gave him a firsthand look at the human toll of the Israeli occupation. The California congressman is weighing a possible run for the presidency in 2028.
The delegation was touring the region when the settlers blocked the vehicle. Khanna described the encounter as a direct experience of the conditions Palestinians endure daily. He did not say whether the settlers identified themselves or what prompted the detention.
The incident comes amid rising settler violence in the West Bank, which has drawn condemnation from the U.S. and European governments. Israeli authorities have not commented on the specific event.
Khanna, a progressive Democrat, has been a vocal critic of Israeli policy in the occupied territories. His office did not immediately respond to a request for additional details.
Drafted by a large language model from the source reporting linked above, then screened by automated publishing checks. It is not read by a journalist before publication. Some articles cite our Alpha Score. Verify prices and figures against the original source. Educational coverage, not personalized advice.