Indian-American Congressman Ro

Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna, a 2028 US presidential candidate, on Saturday said he was detained by Israeli settlers with guns during a visit to Palestine.

Khanna, a Democrat from California, was on Wednesday touring the ruins of Khirbet Zanuta, a Bedouin village in the southern West Bank that was abandoned after attacks by Israeli settlers at the time of the incident.

Khanna’s experience was reported by a photographer for The New York Times who was with the congressman.

The New York Times quoted Khanna as saying, “I felt powerless in that situation, which is not an easy thing, because I have been very privileged in life.”

Khanna was eventually allowed to continue his journey after calling the US Embassy and Israeli police, the report said.

Khanna said, “Imagine how people feel every day, Palestinians under occupation, if they can make an American congressman feel powerless for 90 minutes.”

US politicians, Democrats and Republicans alike, have been visiting the West Bank from time to time since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel that began the war in the region.

Republican Mike Johnson, the House speaker, and Democrats Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley visited the area last year. Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is also on a visit to Israel.

Emanuel, who briefly served as White House Chief of Staff during President Barack Obama’s tenure, is also considered a presidential contender.