US Rep. Ro Khanna detained by 'Israeli' settlers in West Bank

US Representative Ro Khanna stated that he and his delegation were armedly detained by 'Israeli' settlers wielding US-manufactured rifles during a fact-finding tour of the southern West Bank, an encounter the lawmaker said has solidified his resolve to consider a 2028 presidential bid.

Speaking to Reuters on Thursday, the California Democrat reported that a group of settlers carrying M4 rifles surrounded his vehicle on Wednesday near Khirbet Zanuta, a Palestinian hamlet largely depopulated following recent settler incursions.

Khanna stated that the armed individuals blocked the roadway for over an hour, adding that responding 'Israeli' military personnel initially supported the settlers rather than the American officials.

Standoff, response

Cameron Kasky, an aide traveling with the progressive congressman, confirmed the delegation contacted the US Embassy in Jerusalem for emergency assistance during the blockade.

The standoff concluded after a detachment of personnel appearing to be police officers arrived at the scene and dispersed the civilians, allowing the vehicles to depart.

The 'Israeli' military released a statement confirming that security personnel intervened near Khirbet Zanuta following reports of civilian blockades targeting vehicles.

"Upon their arrival, the troops dispersed the 'Israeli' civilians and allowed the vehicles to continue on their way," the military command stated, omitting specific comment regarding the alleged actions of its troops at the scene.

Growing democratic rifts

The incident highlights widening foreign policy fractures within the Democratic Party ahead of upcoming US midterm elections. Khanna is the second high-profile Democrat considering a future White House bid to tour the region this week, following visits by Rahm Emanuel, who publicly warned in Tel Aviv that 'Israeli' administrative policy toward Palestinians is actively eroding the foundational US-'Israeli' alliance.

A growing contingent of congressional progressives has escalated calls to restrict or halt the $3.8 billion annual US military assistance package to 'Israel'.

Critics point to the domestic deployment of light weaponry -such as the M4 rifles used in Wednesday's standoff- as a flashpoint for oversight, arguing that current Washington establishment policy remains disconnected from the ground reality.

International legal status

The United Nations and the broader international community consider 'Israeli' settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, referencing the Fourth Geneva Convention's explicit ban on transferring a civilian populace into occupied territories.

'Israel' disputes this legal interpretation, categorizing the West Bank as a historically Jewish territory whose permanent administrative status must be decided via bilateral negotiations.

Khanna rejected this position, warning that lawmakers who refuse to speak out against West Bank policies are "morally compromised", a stance strongly rejected by 'Israeli' officials who deny all institutional apartheid and genocide allegations.