Washington, July 13: Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna has accused armed Israeli individuals and soldiers of detaining him and other American citizens for a brief period in the West Bank. He is calling for an investigation into the incident.
Khanna, a Democrat from California, told NBC News that during a three-day visit to the occupied West Bank, his team was stopped by individuals armed with M-4 rifles. He expressed concern for their safety during the encounter.
“They had M-4 rifles. They were kicking our vehicle’s tires, laughing at us, mocking us, and filming us,” Khanna recounted.
According to Khanna, the group was held for approximately 20 minutes before four soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) arrived. He claims that instead of clearing the area, the soldiers further detained the group. “We were held for about 20 minutes, and we feared for our lives,” he stated.
Following the incident, the delegation contacted the US Embassy. Khanna mentioned that an official named David Brownstein intervened and spoke with Israeli authorities. He said they were allowed to proceed about 75 minutes after the incident began.
However, the IDF has dismissed Khanna’s allegations. In a statement to NBC News, the IDF claimed that soldiers were dispatched to the scene and removed those blocking the road. “The soldiers were quickly sent to the scene. They removed Israeli citizens from the area and reopened the blocked road. IDF soldiers present did not play a role in blocking the road,” the statement read.
Khanna refuted this statement, asserting that the IDF is lying. He called for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to order an investigation into the settlers and the four IDF soldiers involved.
He emphasized that security camera footage could clarify what actually transpired. “The Prime Minister should initiate an investigation against these violent individuals. They should be held accountable,” he added. “The footage could show how they treated American citizens.”
My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.