**Title: US Lawmaker Criticizes Israeli Army After Detention by Settlers During Palestine Visit**
**Date: July 11, 2026**
US Representative Ro Khanna, a Democratic lawmaker from California, has publicly condemned the Israeli army following an incident in which he and his tour group were detained by armed Israeli settlers during a visit to the occupied West Bank. The event, which occurred on July 8, 2026, has sparked renewed discussions about settler violence in the region and the role of the Israeli military.
In a post on social media platform X, Khanna described the unsettling experience, stating that the group was confronted by settlers wielding rifles who blocked their path. He accused the Israeli army of siding with the settlers during the incident, which lasted over an hour. “When the [Israeli army] arrived, they sided with the settlers and continued our detention,” Khanna wrote.
Khanna's remarks come at a time when settler violence has reportedly increased in the West Bank, particularly since the onset of the ongoing conflict in Gaza nearly three years ago. Human rights organizations have raised alarms about what they describe as a state-backed campaign of ethnic cleansing against Palestinian residents, with Amnesty International highlighting the complicity of the Israeli government in these actions.
The incident involving Khanna has drawn attention not only for its immediate implications but also for its broader context. Rights groups have noted that settlers appear to have been emboldened by the current Israeli administration, leading to a surge in violent encounters. Last month, several Western nations imposed sanctions on networks associated with such violence.
Khanna, who is contemplating a presidential run in 2028, expressed his dismay at the situation, stating that the behavior of the settlers and the Israeli military was a “huge mistake.” He described the settlers as “hoodlums … with machine guns” and emphasized the unsettling nature of the encounter, particularly as he felt a heightened awareness of his identity during the ordeal. “I saw the arrogance in the eyes of those settlers,” he said, reflecting on the young settlers' demeanor and the implications of US tax dollars funding the Israeli military.
Cameron Kasky, an aide accompanying Khanna, confirmed that the group made appeals to the US embassy in Jerusalem for assistance during their detention. They were eventually released after police intervened, following reports of settlers blocking vehicles in the area.
The Israeli military later issued a statement indicating that troops and police had responded to reports of settlers obstructing traffic near Khirbet Zanuta, a Palestinian hamlet that has faced displacement due to settler violence. This response, however, has not alleviated concerns regarding the military's alignment with settlers during such encounters.
The incident has occurred against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny of US support for Israel. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have begun to question the continuation of military aid to Israel, with some advocating for a reevaluation of the longstanding bipartisan support. Khanna, alongside Republican Representative Thomas Massie, has been vocal in pushing for legislation to end military funding for Israel's military operations.
In recent developments, Khanna noted that a vote on a bill co-sponsored by Massie, which aimed to halt US military funding to Israel, was cancelled by the House Rules Committee. This has further fueled the debate surrounding US-Israel relations and the implications of military support in the context of ongoing violence in the region.
As Khanna prepares to share more details about his experience in the coming days, the incident serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly regarding the role of settlers and the military in the occupied territories.