An overseas trip by a member of Congress took an unexpected turn this week after a confrontation in one of the world’s most volatile regions left the lawmaker claiming he was prevented from leaving for more than an hour.
The incident is already drawing international attention, with conflicting accounts emerging over what happened and whether Israeli security forces helped resolve the situation or instead became part of the problem.
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said he was detained by armed Israeli settlers during a visit to the West Bank before Israeli military personnel arrived, an account that the Israel Defense Forces disputes.
Khanna said the incident occurred Wednesday while he was touring the demolished Palestinian Bedouin village of Khirbet Zanuta during a three-day visit to the West Bank.
In a post on X, Khanna wrote, “Israeli settlers, brandishing American made M4s, detained me & other Americans on my trip to Palestine.”
“When the IDF arrived, they sided with the settlers & continued our detention. They made a huge mistake. You will be hearing more soon.”
Khanna also shared a video appearing to show Israeli military vehicles blocking a roadway as his group attempted to leave the area.
Speaking with The New York Times, Khanna said armed settlers blocked the vehicles carrying his delegation, shouted at those inside in Hebrew and Arabic, and kicked the tires of their minibus.
A photographer traveling with the group reportedly witnessed the confrontation.
Khanna said he initially believed Israeli soldiers had arrived to help the delegation leave safely.
Instead, he alleged the soldiers spoke with the settlers and later repositioned a military vehicle in a way that prevented his group from departing for approximately 90 minutes.
“I felt powerless in that situation, which is not an easy thing, as I have a lot of privilege in life,” Khanna said.
“Imagine how people feel every day, Palestinians under the occupation, if they could make an American congressperson feel powerless for 90 minutes.”
According to Reuters, an aide traveling with Khanna contacted the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem during the incident, and Israeli police later arrived before the delegation was able to leave.
The Israel Defense Forces disputed significant portions of Khanna’s account.
In a statement, the IDF said troops responded after receiving reports that Israeli civilians were blocking foreign visitors in the area.
The military said soldiers worked to disperse the settlers and denied that Israeli forces detained Khanna or intentionally blocked his departure.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the West Bank, where violence involving Israeli settlers and Palestinians has increased since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
International organizations, human rights groups and several Western governments have repeatedly expressed concern about clashes involving settlers in the territory.
Khanna has emerged as one of the Democratic Party’s most outspoken critics of Israeli government policies during the conflict, frequently calling for changes to U.S. policy in the region.
Following the confrontation, the California congressman suggested the incident could have long-term diplomatic consequences.
“Free advice to the Israelis: It’s not a good idea to detain long-shot presidential candidates,” Khanna said.
“Not how you’re going to build good will with the next American president, whoever that is.”
Israeli settlers, brandishing American made M4s, detained me & other Americans on my trip to Palestine.
When the IDF arrived, they sided with the settlers & continued our detention.
They made a huge mistake.
You will be hearing more soon. https://t.co/rZw8bRAn64 pic.twitter.com/4z50Ye4I7K
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) July 11, 2026
The confrontation is likely to add another layer to the already strained relationship between some congressional Democrats and the Israeli government, particularly as debates continue in Washington over U.S. military aid, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Israeli policies in the West Bank, Mediaite reported.
Neither Khanna nor the Israeli military has indicated whether any additional action will be taken following the incident.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
