Rep. Ro Khanna says he was detained by the Israeli military and settlers in the West Bank

By — Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press Nicholas Riccardi, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/rep-ro-khanna-says-he-was-detained-by-the-israeli-military-and-settlers-in-the-west-bank Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Rep. Ro Khanna says he was detained by the Israeli military and settlers in the West Bank Politics Jul 11, 2026 3:37 PM EDT U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna said Saturday that he was detained by settlers and the Israeli military in the occupied West Bank and released only after calls to the American Embassy in Jerusalem. The Israeli Defense Forces denied detaining any visitors in the incident, the latest example of escalating political tensions involving Israel and its ally's Democratic Party. A representative for Khanna, a California Democrat who is an outspoken progressive, said the confrontation occurred Wednesday in the middle of a three-day tour of the West Bank. As the congressman visited a Palestinian village that had been abandoned after settler attacks, masked men with guns stopped his group and refused to let them leave. WATCH: Rahm Emanuel on criticizing Netanyahu, calling for new approach to U.S.-Israel ties The New York Times said the incident was witnessed by one of its photographers. Khanna's office said it occurred in the town of Khirbet Zanuta. Khanna said that when Israeli soldiers arrived he was dispirited to see them interact in a friendly manner with their captors and also block the exit for the congressman's party. Not until the U.S. Embassy and Israeli police were called was Khanna's group allowed to proceed. "If this can happen to an American member of Congress, imagine what life is like for Palestinians who have no smartphones, no security, and no national platform," Khanna, who is exploring a presidential bid in 2028, said in a fundraising email he sent out shortly after his post Saturday about the incident. In a statement, the IDF said it received a report of Israeli citizens blocking foreign nationals and media in Khirbet Zanuta. "Upon receiving the report, IDF troops were dispatched to the scene, quickly dispersed the Israeli civilians, and reopened the blocked road," the military said in a statement. "The IDF soldiers operating in the area did not take part in blocking the road." Democratic politicians from the United States have stepped up their criticism of Israel amid a sharp turn against the country by the party's voters. This week, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, whose father was born in Jerusalem and fought in Israel's war of independence, gave a blistering speech last week in Tel Aviv in which he said Israel has become a "territorial pariah." Emanuel also is a potential White House contender. READ MORE: Graham Platner to hold Maine rally with Rep. Ro Khanna as scandals shake up campaign In a recent survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, about 58% of Democrats said the U.