Armed Israeli settlers detain US congressman in ‘VIP version’ of daily ordeal for Palestinians

Armed Israeli settlers carrying US-made M4 rifles detained US Congressman Ro Khanna and other Americans in the illegally occupied West Bank. When Israeli occupation soldiers arrived, they reportedly sided with the settlers and extended the detention.

The California Democrat was travelling near the Palestinian village of Khirbet Zanuta in the South Hebron Hills last week, when the settlers blocked the vehicle of Khanna’s  delegation.

Khanna said the armed men surrounded the van, kicked its tyres, mocked and filmed those inside and left members of the delegation fearing for their lives.

Instead of removing the settlers and reopening the road, four Israeli soldiers joined them and continued to obstruct the delegation.

“We were detained for 20 minutes, fearful for our lives. Then the IDF comes,” Khanna explained during an interview with NBC News.

“Four soldiers, and they tell our translator that they’re on the side of the settlers. They further detain us and block us in.”

Khanna said the group was allowed to continue only after contacting the US embassy, approximately 75 minutes after the confrontation began. In another account, he described feeling powerless for around 90 minutes.

In a post on X, Khanna wrote:

“Israeli settlers, brandishing American made M4s, detained me & other Americans on my trip to Palestine.

“When the IDF arrived, they sided with the settlers & continued our detention.

“They made a huge mistake.

“You will be hearing more soon.”

The US congressman explained that his ordeal give him a brief glimpse of the fear, humiliation and powerlessness Palestinians experience routinely under Israel’s military occupation.