Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna stated Saturday that he was briefly “detained” by Israeli settlers and the army throughout a go to to a West Financial institution village earlier within the week.
The California congressman stated in a social media put up that whereas he was on the journey on Wednesday close to the West Financial institution hamlet of Khirbet Zanuta “settlers, brandishing American made M4s” detained him and different People who have been with him in a bus.
On this picture offered by Cameron Kasky, armed males block the highway, stopping autos containing Rep. Ro Khanna and his delegation close to the West Financial institution village of Khirbet Zanuta, on July 8, 2026.
Cameron Kasky by way of AP
In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Khanna stated the settlers blocked the highway after which known as the army.
Khanna claimed in his X put up that when the Israel Protection Forces arrived, they “sided with the settlers & continued our detention.”
The IDF moved the autos blocking the roadway after talking with the Israeli civilians, the congressman instructed Reuters.
On this picture offered by Cameron Kasky, armed males block the highway, stopping autos containing Rep. Ro Khanna and his delegation close to the West Financial institution village of Khirbet Zanuta, on July 8, 2026.
Cameron Kasky by way of AP
The IDF stated in an announcement that it obtained calls on Wednesday of Israeli civilians who “have been unlawfully blocking the autos of overseas nationals and members of the media.”
“Upon receiving the report, IDF troops have been dispatched to the scene, rapidly dispersed the Israeli civilians, and reopened the blocked highway. The IDF troopers working within the space didn’t participate in blocking the highway,” the IDF stated in an announcement.
Rep. Ro Khanna speaks with a Palestinian resident of Turmus Ayya, close to Ramallah, throughout a go to within the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution, July 9, 2026.
Ammar Awad/Reuters
The IDF added the identification of the armed particular person linked with the incident is below overview.
Khanna stated within the social media put up that the IDF “made a giant mistake,” and ended his assertion with “you can be listening to extra quickly.”
