Rep. Ro Khanna Says He Will Run for President in 2028

Rep. Ro Khanna said he intends to run for president in 2028 and make Palestinian rights a central part of his platform. Haaretz reported the comments in an interview published on July 15. Khanna, a California Democrat, recounted an incident last week in which Israeli settlers blocked his delegation's van near the Bedouin village of Khirbet Zanuta in the southern West Bank.

He said settlers and Israeli soldiers who supported them should face investigation and prosecution, describing the event as detainment that could amount to false imprisonment. The congressman added that statements from the Israeli military and senior officials disturbed him more than the incident itself. He said the next American president will demand the arrest of violent settlers.

Khanna has visited Israel three times previously, including with Jewish groups. He stated that he was saddened by what he called Israel's disproportionate actions in Gaza and the West Bank.