Claims made by Congressman Khanna, a member of the Democratic Party, regarding a “violent” encounter with armed settlers in the West Bank were emphatically refuted by Israeli officials on Monday.
The Israeli Defense Forces, police, and Israel’s ambassador to the United States offered conflicting accounts of the incident, marking another chapter in the increasingly contentious debate over Israel’s actions in the occupied West Bank.
Khanna took to X on Saturday, asserting that “Israeli settlers brandishing American-made M4s” had detained him and other Americans during a recent tour in the region.
He claimed that when the IDF arrived, they sided with the settlers and continued to detain his group, stating, “They made a big mistake.”
However, Israeli officials provided a different perspective. According to the Israel Defense Forces, they were summoned to the Khirbet Zanuta area after reports that foreigners had entered what was believed to be a restricted military zone, with Israeli civilians blocking nearby roads. They asserted that soldiers moved civilians from the area to ensure safety and eventually allowed the convoy to continue after confirming the location was not closed.
The IDF also noted that the encounter lasted only a few minutes, clarifying, “There were no physical confrontations or violence between the parties involved.” They mentioned that one individual at the scene was an off-duty IDF soldier and that procedures for dealing with foreign diplomats would be tightened.
Khanna, representing the Bay Area, has faced criticism for not meeting with former Israeli hostages from the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. He has increasingly aligned with the left wing of his party while clashing with tech allies and advocating for causes that contradict the Israeli government’s stance.
In a response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that those involved in the incident would face consequences, warning of the fear many people were experiencing amidst ongoing attacks.
Israeli police also contested Khanna’s narrative, stating that their officers saw no violence and that soldiers had informed them the tour group was in a closed military area. They provided body camera footage of the organizer being cautioned that future violations could lead to immediate arrest.
Khanna’s office dismissed the IDF and police statements, alleging that “extremist settlers” had blocked their convoy for about an hour, less than true attempts to leave being hindered by hostile actions like tire-kicking and filming.
They argued the military’s timeline was inaccurate, claiming they were held up despite prior coordination with the U.S. embassy and local authorities.
As tensions rose, Israeli Ambassador Echiel Reiter accused Khanna of inciting the conflict unnecessarily. He pointed out that Khanna had rejected offers to coordinate his visit with Israeli officials and noted that only once the congressman’s identity was revealed could the convoy depart unhindered.
Veteran Israeli journalist Habib Rettig-Gah also expressed skepticism about Khanna’s claims, suggesting that there was likely confusion among soldiers regarding the area’s restrictions. He emphasized the lack of evidence to support claims of violence by settlers, urging Khanna to release footage if it existed.
While all parties agree no physical violence occurred, the discrepancies in their narratives remain significant.
