Congressman Ro Khanna says he was arrested by Israeli settlers in the West Bank
Congressman Ro Khanna said he was detained by Israeli settlers for more than an hour during a visit to the West Bank. Khanna also said that members of the Israel Defense Forces spoke to the settlers and moved the car to block the road.
Khanna’s experience was first reported by the New York Times. A spokesperson for the conference confirmed the details of the Times report to CBS News. The Times said the publication’s photographer also witnessed the exchange.
CBS News has contacted the IDF for comment.
Rep. staff. Ro Khanna
US diplomats from both sides of the aisle have visited the West Bank since the war in Gaza was sparked by a major Israeli attack on October 7, 2023. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson visited the area in September 2025 and dined with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Democrats Chris van Hollen and Jeff Merkley, from Maryland and Oregon, respectively, are visiting the state in August 2025.
Several countries that supported Israel during the war in Gaza condemned the country after IDF soldiers fired what they called “warning shots” near a group of diplomats visiting the area in May 2025. The delegation included representatives of the European Union, Japan and Russia. The IDF said the shots were fired after the group strayed from the authorized route and entered the restricted area.
The United Nations said in May that more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank and east of Jerusalem since the war began. CBS News met with Palestinian residents and Israeli activists in the West Bank who say violent attacks on Israeli residents have increased since the start of the Gaza war, including an attack that drove people from their country. Israel has also continued to expand its settlements in the area.
Rep. staff. Ro Khanna 
Israeli soldiers accused of harming Palestinians in the West Bank are rarely punished and charged in less than 1% of cases based on 2,427 complaints between 2016 and 2024, according to the Israeli rights group Yesh Din.
More than 700,000 Israelis live in this country living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, areas captured by Israel in 1967 from Jordan and claimed by the Palestinians for a future state. About 15% of American residents.
The United Nations calls Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal, and Israel has been criticized for the actions of the residents of the area. Five long-time US allies have imposed sanctions on two top Israeli officials accusing them of “inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the sanctions and called for them to be reversed.
