Ro Khanna says armed settlers in Israel’s West Bank detained him

Washington, July 12 (IANS) Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna has accused armed Israeli settlers and Israeli soldiers of detaining him and other American citizens in the West Bank and called for an investigation into the episode.

Khanna, a California Democrat, told NBC News that settlers carrying M4 rifles stopped his delegation during a three-day visit to the occupied territory.

He said the group feared for its safety.

“They had violent settlers detain American citizens, including an American government official,” Khanna said.

“You had these settlers brandishing M4s, kicking the tyres of our van, laughing at us, mocking at us, videotaping us.”

Khanna said the settlers held the delegation for about 20 minutes before four Israel Defence Forces (IDF) soldiers arrived. Instead of immediately clearing the road, he alleged, the soldiers continued to block the group.

“We were detained for about 20 minutes, fearful of our lives,” Khanna added.

“Then the IDF comes- four soldiers — they tell our translator that they’re on the side of the settlers. They further detain us and block us in.”

The delegation then contacted the US Embassy.

Khanna said an official identified as David Brownstein intervened and reached Israeli authorities.

He said the group was allowed to proceed about 75 minutes after the episode began.

The IDF disputed Khanna’s account of its role. In a statement quoted during the NBC News interview, it said troops were sent to the spot and cleared the obstruction.

“IDF troops were dispatched to the scene quickly, dispersed the Israeli civilians, and reopened the blocked road. The IDF soldiers operating in the area did not take part in blocking the road,” the statement said.

Khanna rejected that account.

“The IDF is lying,” he said.

“What happened was unprecedented.”

The Congressman called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to order an investigation into the settlers and the four soldiers.

He said that security camera footage could establish what happened.

“The Prime Minister needs to open an investigation on these violent settlers,” Khanna said.

“They need to be prosecuted.”

Khanna linked those involved to Yanon Levy, whom he accused of destroying a Palestinian village and killing Palestinians. The interview material did not include a response from Levy to those allegations.

“Their outpost needs to be investigated and he needs to have an investigation on these four IDF officers,” Khanna said.

“Security cameras can see that they were involved in the detention of American citizens. How dare they mistreat people with an American passport that way?”

Khanna has represented a Silicon Valley-area district in the US House of Representatives since 2017. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee and has frequently called for a US foreign policy that places greater emphasis on diplomacy and human rights.

–IANS

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