StandWithUs condemns U.S. Representative Ro Khanna’s publicity stunt during his recent visit to Israel and the West Bank/Judea & Samaria. Body-camera footage and public statements from Israeli and U.S. officials contradict key elements of Khanna’s account of his encounter with Israeli settlers and security forces. Rather than using his trip to engage in constructive dialogue, Khanna turned the episode into a political spectacle. He has since used it to fuel a broader anti-Israel campaign, claiming the trip made him “more resolved” to consider a presidential run and warning Israelis to, “build good will with the next American president.”
“Following news of his dispute with Israeli authorities, Congressman Khanna said we should ‘put politics aside.’ “We couldn’t agree more,” said Oleg Ivanov, Executive Director of StandWithUs Northern California. “If his goal were truly to build goodwill and advance peace, he could have coordinated with the appropriate authorities, and met with a broader range of voices, including October 7 survivors and hostage families, and sought a fuller understanding of the conflict. Instead, he misled the public to further his own political ambitions, while doing nothing to bring Israelis and Palestinians closer to peace.”
Khanna alleged he was “detained by violent settlers” and claimed Israeli security forces enabled them. However, IDF documentation, supported by body-camera footage, tells a markedly different story. According to the IDF, troops responded to reports that “foreign nationals had entered an area believed to be a closed military zone” and that Israeli civilians were blocking a nearby road. Soldiers dispersed the civilians, confirmed there was no security threat to Khanna’s delegation, determined the area was not in fact a closed military zone, and allowed the convoy to proceed. The IDF says the entire encounter lasted only a few minutes and involved “no physical confrontation or violence.”
Khanna’s delegation reportedly did not coordinate with the American Embassy or Israeli Authorities prior to his visit, though he later claimed Embassy staff were helpful during the incident. The IDF recommends coordination to avoid delays and confusion when traveling in conflict zones.
There is real violence by some Israeli extremists in this region, which is unacceptable. The extremists are a very small minority and widely condemned across Israeli society, including by many Israelis who themselves live in settlement communities. There is no place for their terrorism, and anyone responsible should be held fully accountable for any violations of the law.
However, in this case, available evidence directly contradicts key elements of Khanna’s account. Even more telling is Khanna’s refusal to act. While continuing to do media hits demanding an “investigation,” the IDF and Israel Police say he has not filed a single complaint about the incident. Rather than correcting the record or providing evidence to substantiate his allegations, Rep. Khanna cited his experience being “detained,” paired with his inflammatory genocide rhetoric as justification for legislation that would “zero out” all U.S. aid to Israel, including funding for “defensive weapons like the Iron Dome.”
Khanna’s anti-Israel campaign is built on the inflammatory and baseless charge of genocide. The war has been devastating for Israelis and for Palestinian civilians caught between the IDF and Hamas. But the “genocide” lie has been debunked numerous times by scholars of genocide and international law. Israel’s objective is not to destroy the Palestinian people. It is to dismantle Hamas – a genocidal terrorist group that has ruthlessly militarized civilian areas all over Gaza. Israel has taken many steps to minimize civilian harm, facilitate humanitarian corridors and aid deliveries, and investigate allegations of misconduct by its own forces.
Amplifying lies against Israel and campaigning to weaken the U.S.-Israel alliance does nothing to improve the lives of Palestinians. Iran’s regime, Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorists in the region have spent decades promising and planning to destroy Israel, and have murdered thousands of Israelis. Khanna’s policies would signal to these genocidal actors that Israel is vulnerable, emboldening them to escalate their attacks. This would very likely trigger more horrific violence and suffering for Israelis, Palestinians, and millions of other people across the region.
