**US Congressman Ro Khanna Claims Detention by Armed Israeli Settlers in West Bank**
US Congressman Ro Khanna has reported being detained for 90 minutes by armed Israeli settlers during a visit to the occupied West Bank. The incident occurred on Wednesday while Khanna, along with his team, was traveling in a van near the village of Turmus Ayya, close to Ramallah.
In an interview with Reuters, the 49-year-old Democrat described the situation as alarming, stating that their vehicle was surrounded by settlers armed with M4 rifles. Khanna expressed his concerns about the aggressive behavior of the settlers, noting, "We were at a village that Israeli settlers had destroyed... and these hoodlums come in with machine guns – M4, an American-made machine gun – and they detain us."
Upon being surrounded, Khanna and his team reportedly contacted the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for assistance. However, he claimed that when the IDF arrived, they sided with the settlers rather than intervening on behalf of the detained Americans. "The IDF is on their side, not on the side of the Americans," Khanna said, highlighting his disappointment with the response from Israeli authorities.
The IDF later issued a statement indicating that their troops and police officers responded to reports of settlers blocking vehicles in the area. According to the military, upon their arrival, they dispersed the settlers and allowed the vehicles to continue on their way. However, Khanna's account suggests a different narrative, as he and his team felt their detention continued even after the IDF's arrival.
During the ordeal, an aide traveling with Khanna reached out to the US Embassy in Jerusalem for assistance. Eventually, they were released after a group of police officers intervened. The incident has raised questions about the safety of foreign visitors in the West Bank and the relationship between Israeli settlers and the military.
Khanna's visit to the region was part of a fact-finding mission to assess the impact of Israeli occupation on local communities. He expressed his commitment to understanding the challenges faced by Palestinians in the area, particularly in light of ongoing tensions and the expansion of Israeli settlements.
The situation in the West Bank remains contentious, with approximately 700,000 Israeli settlers living in about 160 settlements that are considered illegal under international law. These settlements have been a major point of conflict in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, as Palestinians seek to establish a future state encompassing the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The congressman, who is also contemplating a presidential run in 2028, has been vocal about his views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His recent experience has further fueled his advocacy for a more balanced approach to US foreign policy in the region.
As the situation continues to evolve, Khanna's detention underscores the complexities and dangers that can arise in the occupied territories, particularly for those seeking to engage with the realities on the ground. The incident has drawn attention to the broader implications of the Israeli occupation and the ongoing struggles faced by Palestinians living alongside Israeli settlers.
The BBC has reached out to the IDF for further comments regarding the incident, but as of now, the situation remains a focal point of discussion surrounding US involvement and the dynamics of Israeli-Palestinian relations.