Overview
- Rep. Ro Khanna says his delegation was blocked and effectively detained by armed Israeli settlers during a visit to Khirbet Zanuta, and he accuses Israel Defense Forces troops of siding with the settlers.
- The IDF says troops were dispatched, quickly dispersed civilians and reopened the road, and that soldiers did not take part in blocking vehicles.
- Activist Nadav Weiman released body‑worn camera video that Khanna and allies cite as corroboration, but multiple news outlets and officials have said the clip does not clearly show a physical detention and can be read in different ways.
- Israeli and U.S. embassy officials fault Khanna for not coordinating the activist‑organized, 'Palestinian‑led' trip with authorities, a lapse that officials say contributed to confusion on the ground.
- The episode has intensified U.S. political debate over settler violence, low prosecution rates in the West Bank and norms for congressional travel, and it has prompted Khanna’s call for an official investigation and possible prosecutions.