US Congressman Ro Khanna accused the Israeli government and military of lying about his detention by armed settlers and Israeli soldiers during a visit to the occupied West Bank. The California Democrat posted video evidence showing settlers and soldiers blocking his convoy near the village of Zanuta in the South Hebron hills, where Palestinians have been displaced in what Amnesty International calls a government-backed ethnic cleansing campaign.
Khanna Contradicts IDF Account
In an interview on NBC News' Meet the Press, Khanna directly refuted the Israeli military's claim that soldiers quickly dispersed the settlers and reopened the road. The IDF is lying, he said, describing the event as unprecedented. He stated that violent settlers detained American citizens, including a government official, brandishing M4 rifles, kicking tires, and mocking the delegation. Khanna said they were detained for about 20 minutes, fearful for their lives, and then the IDF arrived and further detained them, with soldiers siding with the settlers.
Netanyahu's Response
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, appearing on the same program, characterized the armed settlers as a small band of juvenile delinquents, asserting they are not part of the law-abiding settler community. Khanna countered by calling for an investigation into the settlers, specifically naming Yinon Levi, who was filmed fatally shooting Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen but was not prosecuted. Khanna also demanded an investigation into the four IDF officers involved, citing security camera evidence.
Israeli Ambassador's Accusations
Israeli Ambassador to the US Michael Leiter accused Khanna of staging a political stunt to distract from his support for Graham Platner, a former Senate candidate accused of sexual assault, and to promote a potential 2028 presidential run. Leiter claimed Khanna shunned Israeli government planning and worked with dissident groups like Breaking the Silence. He questioned why Khanna waited until Saturday to release the Wednesday incident. Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan audibly laughed at Leiter's theory, noting Khanna had asked to hold the news until after leaving Israeli territory.
Support from Breaking the Silence
Nadav Weiman, director of Breaking the Silence, corroborated Khanna's account, stating that armed settlers arrived first, followed by soldiers who joined them. They detained the delegation for over an hour. Weiman wrote that the IDF is lying, and he witnessed settlers giving orders to soldiers. The incident was documented by Khanna's aide Cameron Kasky, a Parkland school shooting survivor, who has been active in advocating for Palestine.
