US Representative Ro Khanna has accused the Israeli government and military of lying about his detention by armed settlers and soldiers during a recent visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
US Representative Ro Khanna accused the Israeli government and military of “lying” on Sunday about his detention by armed settlers and Israeli soldiers during a recent visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to the Guardian.
Khanna, a California Democrat, had posted video evidence on social media of Israeli settlers and soldiers blocking the path of his convoy on Wednesday in the South Hebron hills. The incident took place near the village of Zanuta.
According to the Guardian, Zanuta is an area where Israelis have driven Palestinians from their homes in what Amnesty International calls a government-backed “ethnic cleansing campaign.”
The Israeli ambassador to the US responded by accusing Khanna of staging a political stunt. According to the Guardian, the ambassador said the move was intended to distract from Khanna’s support for Graham Platner.
The dispute centers on competing accounts of what happened during the congressman’s visit, with Khanna pointing to his video footage as evidence and Israeli officials disputing his characterization of events.
Why it matters
The confrontation highlights ongoing tensions over Israeli settler activity in the occupied West Bank and its impact on Palestinian communities. A sitting US congressman publicly accusing the Israeli military of lying signals growing scrutiny within American politics of Israel's actions in the region.
Frequently asked questions
Where did the incident involving Ro Khanna take place?
According to the Guardian, the incident occurred in the South Hebron hills, near the village of Zanuta, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
How did Israeli officials respond to Khanna's claims?
The Israeli ambassador to the US accused Khanna of staging a political stunt intended to distract from his support for Graham Platner, according to the Guardian.
What evidence did Khanna present?
Khanna posted video evidence on social media showing Israeli settlers and soldiers blocking the path of his convoy on Wednesday, according to the Guardian.