U.S. Representative Ro Khanna detained then released by Israeli forces in West Bank

U.S. Representative Ro Khanna was detained by Israeli settlers armed with American-made M4 rifles while touring the southern West Bank on July 10. The incident took place near Khirbet Zanuta. Khanna said the settlers had destroyed a village and its school before surrounding his group's van and blocking the road.

He stated that the Israeli military sided with the settlers rather than the Americans. An aide, Cameron Kasky, said the group was held for more than one hour and contacted the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem for assistance.

Officers who appeared to be police eventually intervened and secured their release. The Israeli military stated that troops and police officers dispersed the settlers after receiving a report of blocked vehicles and allowed the vehicles to continue. Khanna visited Turmus Ayya, a village home to thousands of Palestinian American dual nationals, on July 9.

He said he is strongly considering a 2028 presidential run and is more resolved after the trip. U.S. military aid to Israel totals $3.8 billion per year, including funding for M4 rifles. Israel's favorability rating among Democrats fell from 59 percent in 2018 to 22 percent in May, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling.

The West Bank has a population of about 3 million Palestinians and around 500,000 Jewish settlers.