California Representative Ro Khanna says he was stopped by Israeli settlers armed with American rifles in the West Bank. The Congressman explained that when the IDF arrived, they sided with the settlers and continued his detention.
“Israeli settlers, brandishing American made M4s, detained me & other Americans on my trip to Palestine,” Rep Khanna wrote on X Saturday. “When the IDF arrived, they sided with the settlers & continued our detention.” The Congressman posted a video of his encounter.
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
Khanna said he was detained for about 20 minutes by the armed Israelis before the IDF arrived. During that period, the settlers harassed the Congressman and his colleagues. Khanna said they feared for their lives.
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was asked about the encounter on Meet the Press. Netanyahu dismissed the detention of the American Congressman as the actions of overzealous vigilantes attempting to prevent terror attacks. He claimed the armed Israelis were law-abiding citizens and not settlers.
.@netanyahu was asked by @MeetThePress about my illegal detainment with other Americans by violent settlers aided by 4 IDF soldiers. I called for arresting Yinon Levy, the settlers, and an investigation of the soldiers. Will Israel show any respect for American passport holders? pic.twitter.com/32oSQnZwZf
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) July 12, 2026
Khanna, appearing on Meet the Press after Netanyahu, said Tel Aviv was lying about his detention.
The Israeli settler movement has become increasingly bold and violent since the current government was formed in December 2022. Finance Minister Betzel Smotrich has expanded Israeli settlements in the West Bank at a historic pace while stripping Palestinians of their property. Additionally, Itmar Ben Gvir has encouraged settlers and distributed hundreds of rifles.
