US Congressman Claims Detainment by Israeli Settlers
US Representative Ro Khanna recently recounted being detained by armed Israeli settlers while on a visit to the occupied West Bank. The incident occurred as Khanna, aged 49, and his team were traveling in a van when they were reportedly encircled by settlers carrying M4 rifles, according to remarks he made to Reuters news agency.
Khanna shared details of the encounter on the social media platform X, stating that upon the arrival of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the military sided with the settlers, prolonging their detention. The BBC has reached out to the IDF for a response, but the Israeli military has not provided a specific comment on Khanna's claims.
According to a statement from the IDF, troops and police officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of settlers obstructing vehicles in the area. The statement noted that upon their arrival, the military personnel dispersed the settlers and allowed the blocked vehicles to proceed.
Fact-Finding Mission in the West Bank
Khanna's visit was part of a fact-finding mission to Khirbet Zanuta, aiming to assess the effects of Israeli occupation. During his visit, Khanna, who is considering a presidential bid in 2028, observed the aftermath of destruction in a village reportedly caused by settlers. The damage included the demolition of a school and other village structures.
Khanna described the situation, saying, "We were at a village that Israeli settlers had destroyed. They had destroyed the school, they had destroyed that village, and we were just looking at it. And these hoodlums come in with machine guns – M4, an American-made machine gun – and they detain us. They block off the road. And then they call the IDF and the IDF is on their side, not on the side of the Americans."
During the detention, an aide accompanying Khanna sought assistance from the US Embassy in Jerusalem. Their release was eventually secured after intervention by a group of police officers.
The Complex Landscape of the West Bank
Since the 1967 Middle East war, Israel has established approximately 160 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, accommodating around 700,000 Jewish residents. These areas are claimed by Palestinians, who view them as part of a future independent state that would also include Gaza. Currently, about 3.3 million Palestinians live in proximity to these settlements.
The settlements are deemed illegal under international law, further complicating the already tense relationship between Israelis and Palestinians in the region.
Source: Original Article
