Ro Khanna Says Armed Israeli Settlers Detained U.S. Delegation in West Bank
Washington — Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna has accused armed Israeli settlers and Israeli soldiers of detaining him and other U.S. citizens during a visit to the West Bank, calling for an investigation into the incident.
Khanna, a California Democrat, told NBC News that settlers carrying M4 rifles stopped his delegation during a three-day visit to the occupied territory and left members of the group fearing for their safety.
“They had violent settlers detain American citizens, including an American government official,” Khanna said. “You had these settlers brandishing M4s, kicking the tyres of our van, laughing at us, mocking at us, videotaping us.”
Khanna said the settlers blocked the delegation for about 20 minutes before four Israel Defense Forces soldiers arrived. He alleged that the soldiers did not immediately clear the road and instead continued to prevent the group from leaving.
“We were detained for about 20 minutes, fearful of our lives,” he said. “Then the IDF comes- four soldiers — they tell our translator that they’re on the side of the settlers. They further detain us and block us in.”
The delegation contacted the U.S. Embassy, and Khanna said an official identified as David Brownstein intervened with Israeli authorities. The group was allowed to proceed about 75 minutes after the incident began.
The IDF disputed Khanna’s account, saying its troops quickly dispersed the settlers and reopened the road.
“IDF troops were dispatched to the scene quickly, dispersed the Israeli civilians, and reopened the blocked road. The IDF soldiers operating in the area did not take part in blocking the road,” the IDF said in a statement quoted by NBC News.
Khanna rejected the statement, saying, “The IDF is lying. What happened was unprecedented.”
He called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to investigate the settlers and the four soldiers, saying security camera footage could establish what occurred.
“The Prime Minister needs to open an investigation on these violent settlers,” Khanna said. “They need to be prosecuted.”
Khanna also linked those involved to Yanon Levy, whom he accused of destroying a Palestinian village and killing Palestinians. No response from Levy was included in the interview.
“Their outpost needs to be investigated and he needs to have an investigation on these four IDF officers,” Khanna said. “Security cameras can see that they were involved in the detention of American citizens. How dare they mistreat people with an American passport that way?”
Khanna has represented a Silicon Valley-area district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2017 and serves on the House Armed Services Committee. (Source: IANS)
