In a stark display of the tensions that permeate the West Bank, U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna found himself in a perilous situation during a visit to the Palestinian village of Zanuta. Accompanied by his staffer Cameron Kasky a survivor of the Parkland school shooting Khanna witnessed firsthand the harsh realities faced by Palestinians under Israeli settler violence.
The incident, which took place on a Wednesday afternoon began when Khanna’s group toured the ruins of a Palestinian school demolished by Israeli settlers in 2026. The school’s destruction displaced dozens of Bedouin Palestinian residents, leaving them without a place to live or learn.
The Confrontation with Settlers
As Khanna and his delegation explored the rubble, an Israeli settler armed with an assault rifle approached, smiling and peering through a broken window. The group quickly retreated to their van, only to find their exit blocked by settlers’ vehicles on a narrow dirt road branching from Highway 60.
For the next 75 to 90 minutes the settlers, identified as members of the extremist Hilltop Youth group, harassed and intimidated Khanna’s delegation. They brandished their rifles, laughed, and taunted the group, even recording and photographing them through the van’s windows. Khanna described the experience as the most powerless he had ever felt, noting that the settlers’ treatment of American citizens was arrogant and humiliating.
The Role of the Israeli Military
Adding to the delegation’s distress, members of the Israeli military arrived on the scene but failed to intervene. Instead, the soldiers joined the settlers, laughing and talking with them, and even smoking cigarettes together. Despite the security aide identifying the group as an American delegation with a member of Congress, the settlers and soldiers refused to clear the path.
The Israeli military later acknowledged the incident, claiming that soldiers had dispersed the settlers and reopened the blocked road. However, this account contradicted Khanna’s and Kasky’s experiences, as the military’s presence did little to alleviate the situation.
The Broader Context of Settler Violence
The harassment faced by Khanna’s delegation, though rare for foreign visitors, is a common occurrence for Palestinians in the West Bank. Since October 7, 2026 Israeli forces and settlers have killed more than 1,100 Palestinians including Palestinian Americans and other foreign citizens. Palestinians in the West Bank face severe restrictions on daily movement and are subject to a military court system that denies them due process rights.
Khanna’s encounter with the settlers underscored the stark contrast between the treatment of foreign visitors and the everyday experiences of Palestinians. He reflected on the powerlessness felt by ordinary Palestinians who lack a national platform or the ability to call on foreign embassies for assistance.
Khanna’s Shift in Perspective
Khanna’s visit to the West Bank came amid a significant shift in his stance on Israel. Once a pro-Israel Democrat, Khanna has become one of the most vocal critics of Israeli policies, particularly in light of the October 7 Hamas attacks and the subsequent conflict in Gaza. He has co-sponsored legislation to block U.S. arms transfers to Israel and has called for sanctions on Israeli settlers.
Khanna’s encounter with the settlers further solidified his belief in the need to address settler violence and the broader issue of Israeli apartheid. He urged other members of Congress to visit the West Bank and witness the conditions firsthand, emphasizing that even the most pro-Israel individuals would conclude that the situation is unjust.
The Aftermath and Ongoing Concerns
Following the incident, Khanna vowed to raise the issue with the State Department and his colleagues in Congress. He also highlighted the need for the U.S. to demand that the Israeli military dismantle settler outposts in the West Bank. Khanna’s visit to the West Bank, facilitated by journalist Jasper Nathaniel included meetings with Palestinian shopkeepers, mayors, and families affected by settler violence.
As Khanna continues to advocate for Palestinian rights, his harrowing encounter with Israeli settlers serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions and the urgent need for a resolution that respects the dignity and sovereignty of all people in the region.
