West Bank: US Congressman briefly detained by Israelis
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U.S. Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, said on Saturday, July 11, 2026, that he was detained by armed Israeli settlers and members of the Israeli military in the occupied West Bank. The incident reportedly took place on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, during a three-day congressional tour of the region. According to Khanna’s office, the confrontation occurred while the delegation was visiting Khirbet Zanuta, an area in the southern West Bank. The episode has added strain to already tense relations between the Israeli government and the progressive wing of the U.S. Democratic Party, prompting calls for clarification of the circumstances.
Timeline
- July 8, 2026 Congressional visit reaches Khirbet Zanuta
- July 8, 2026 Khanna confronted by armed settlers
- July 8, 2026 Israeli military participates in detention
- July 8, 2026 Delegation’s three-day tour continues
- July 11, 2026 Khanna publicly reports West Bank detention
- July 11, 2026 Incident intensifies U.S.-Israel political tensions
Sources
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