Congressman Ro Khanna stated he was detained by Israeli settlers for over an hour whereas visiting the West Financial institution. Khanna additionally stated members of the Israel Protection Forces spoke with the settlers and moved a automotive to dam the highway.
Khanna’s expertise was first reported by The New York Instances. A spokesperson for the congressman confirmed the main points of the Instances’ report back to CBS Information. The Instances stated a photojournalist from the publication additionally witnessed the interplay.
When requested to touch upon Khanna’s allegations, a spokesperson for the Israel Protection Forces stated it had acquired a report of Israeli civilians “unlawfully blocking the automobiles of overseas nationals and members of the media.” The IDF stated troops “had been dispatched to the scene, rapidly dispersed the Israeli civilians, and reopened the blocked highway.”
The IDF additionally stated the troopers “didn’t participate in blocking the highway,” and the “identification of the armed particular person is at the moment below evaluate.”
Employees of Rep. Ro Khanna
U.S. politicians from either side of the aisle have visited the West Financial institution for the reason that conflict in Gaza was sparked by an enormous assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Home Speaker Mike Johnson visited the territory in September 2025 and dined with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Democrats Chris van Hollen and Jeff Merkley, of Maryland and Oregon, respectively, toured the area in August 2025.
A number of nations which have supported Israel in the course of the conflict in Gaza criticized the nation after IDF troops fired what they referred to as “warning photographs” close to a bunch of diplomats visiting the territory in Could 2025. The delegation included representatives from the European Union, Japan and Russia. The IDF stated the photographs had been fired after the group wandered off an authorised route and entered a restricted space.
The United Nations stated in Could that greater than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed within the West Financial institution and japanese Jerusalem for the reason that conflict started. CBS Information has met Palestinian residents and Israeli activists within the West Financial institution who say violent assaults by Israeli settlers have elevated considerably for the reason that conflict in Gaza started, together with assaults which have pushed folks from their land. Israel has additionally continued to broaden its settlements within the territory.
Employees of Rep. Ro Khanna 
Israeli troopers accused of harming Palestinians within the West Financial institution are hardly ever penalized and had been indicted in fewer than 1% of circumstances based mostly on 2,427 complaints alleging wrongdoing between 2016 and 2024, based on Israeli rights group Yesh Din.
Greater than 700,000 Israelis reside within the occupied West Financial institution and east Jerusalem, territories captured by Israel in 1967 from Jordan and sought by the Palestinians for a future state. About 15% of the settlers are People.
The United Nations name Israeli settlements within the West Financial institution unlawful, and Israel has been criticized for the actions of settlers within the territory. 5 long-time U.S. allies collectively imposed sanctions on two senior Israeli officers who they accused of “inciting violence in opposition to Palestinians within the West Financial institution.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the sanctions and referred to as for his or her reversal.
