US Congressman detained by Israelis in the West Bank: 'They made a big mistake'

Democratic US Representative for California Ro Khanna announced that he was detained by armed illegal Israeli settlers during a visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

In a statement on his social media account, sharing footage of the incident, Khanna said, "Israeli settlers carrying American-made M4 rifles detained me and other Americans with me during my visit to Palestine. When the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) arrived at the scene, they sided with the settlers and allowed the detention to continue. They made a big mistake. You will hear more about this soon."

"Settlers mocked the Americans, used slurs in Hebrew and Arabic"

According to a report by the US-based New York Times, Khanna was visiting the Palestinian village of Khirbet Zanuta in the southern West Bank, which had been abandoned and subsequently demolished due to increasing settler attacks.

According to initial information and footage shared by one of Khanna's aides and a security officer, a vehicle carrying armed individuals suddenly blocked the village's narrow exit road during the visit. It was noted that the armed individuals began mocking Khanna and his team, shouting slurs at them in Hebrew and Arabic, and kicking the tires of their van.

The report stated that shortly after, another vehicle carrying more people arrived at the scene. When two Israeli military vehicles arrived in the area, Khanna initially thought they had come to help clear the way. However, according to Khanna, the soldiers smoked cigarettes at the scene, chatted with the settlers, and after they left, blocked the road with another vehicle.

"I felt powerless; imagine what Palestinians feel every day"

Reflecting on the incident, Khanna said, "I felt powerless in that situation. Given that I am someone who has many privileges in life, that is not an easy feeling."

Stating that he was allowed to continue his journey after discussions with the US Embassy in Israel and the Israeli police, Khanna said, "If they can make even an American Congressman feel powerless for 90 minutes, imagine what Palestinians living under occupation feel every day."

Khanna said the incident was the most frightening part of the three-day visit organized by a member of his team. Representatives of the Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"I will tell the story of what is happening in the West Bank"

Khanna, who is considering running in the 2028 US presidential election, stated that what he saw in the West Bank would influence his political views and potential presidential bid. Stating that if he runs, the rights of Palestinians would be one of the core pillars of his campaign, Khanna said, "I have a unique perspective that I can offer regarding the injustices Palestinians face. Whether I run or not, I will go to every corner of America to tell their stories and what is happening in the West Bank."

Khanna said that what he saw in the West Bank convinced him that the problems in the region could not be solved merely by changing the Israeli government. The Congressman said, "One of the things this made me realize is how difficult a two-state solution will be in practice. It is clear that this would require the removal of a large number of violent settlers from the region. The reality on the ground is much more brutal, much more difficult, and complex."

"We saw apartheid-like conditions and inequality"

Stating that he felt "the color of his skin was different" for the first time in his life during his visit to Palestine, Khanna said, "We truly saw apartheid-like conditions and inequality. If any American knew the details of what was happening here, they would not support it."

Khanna, who was born to a family that immigrated to the US from India and grew up in Pennsylvania, said he became more aware of his ethnic background than ever before during this visit.

News Source: 12punto