US Representative Ro Khanna says armed Israeli settlers blocked his delegation for around 90 minutes near the Palestinian village of Khirbet Zanuta during a visit to the occupied West Bank. Khanna alleged Israeli soldiers sided with the settlers and continued the detention before the group was allowed to leave News Analysis & Summary In a harrowing incident that underscores the escalating tensions in the occupied West Bank, US Representative Ro Khanna (D-California) revealed that his congressional delegation was held at gunpoint by armed Israeli settlers for approximately 90 minutes near the Palestinian village of Khirbet Zanuta. According to Khanna, Israeli soldiers present at the scene not only failed to intervene but actively sided with the settlers, continuing the detention even after the delegation identified themselves as US lawmakers. The group was eventually allowed to leave without further harm, but the event raises serious questions about the rule of law in the region and the extent of settler impunity. In my opinion, this incident is a stark example of how extremist elements within Israeli societybacked tacitly by state forcesare emboldened to challenge even American diplomatic representatives. It highlights the urgent need for the US to reassess its unconditional support for policies that enable such lawlessness. The Biden administration must demand a full investigation and clear consequences for those involved, or risk being seen as complicit in the erosion of basic human rights and international law. Source: @trtworld on X/TwitterPublic Engagement Views: 5,776 Likes: 42 Comments: 4 Shares: 22 Published: July 11, 2026, 7:38 pm
