US Congressman Ro Khanna reports being detained by Israeli settlers in West Bank

U.S. Representative Ro Khanna has reported being detained by armed Israeli settlers during a recent visit to the occupied West Bank. Khanna, a Democrat from California, described the encounter as an act of "arrogance of power" by young settlers who showed no respect for the presence of American citizens or a member of Congress.

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I saw the arrogance in the eyes of those settlers, young men of 21 and 22 years old armed, who were laughing about detaining us.

The incident occurred when Khanna and a delegation were visiting an area in the southern West Bank. Despite being informed that Americans were on the bus, the settlers detained them. Khanna, who has previously criticized Israel for not being held accountable for U.S. aid, shared a segment of an interview detailing the event.

"I saw the arrogance in the eyes of those settlers, young men of 21 and 22 years old armed, who were laughing about detaining us," Khanna stated in the video. He also pointed out that these settlers, allegedly members of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), are funded by American taxpayers.

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They showed no respect whatsoever for the fact that they were detaining American citizens, nor for the presence of a member of the U.S. Congress on the bus.

Khanna's detention marks a significant moment, as he is the first sitting U.S. congressman to be detained in the region. Several American politicians from both parties have visited the West Bank since the war in Gaza began. Khanna, representing California's 17th congressional district, is known for his progressive stances on economic policy, tech regulation, and innovation.

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It is the arrogance of power: a power that has not been held accountable, that enjoys total impunity, and that has created a toxic culture of oppression.