U.S. Ambassador to Israel Accuses Congressman Khanna of Misrepresenting Israel Visit
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL — On Tuesday, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee criticized Congressman Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, for allegedly misrepresenting his recent trip to the West Bank. Huckabee claimed that Khanna did not consult the American Embassy before his visit, stating, “That is NOT TRUE. We did NOT know a member of Congress was coming.”
Khanna visited the West Bank last week and reported that his group faced aggressive treatment from Israeli settlers. His critics accused him of using the visit for political gain ahead of a potential presidential run. Huckabee asserted on social media that if the embassy had been informed, it would have advised against entering areas deemed restricted.
In response, Khanna defended his actions, saying on social media, “That is just false. He was misinformed.” The Congressman stated that they had informed both the Israeli and American embassies about their plans and credited Deputy Chief of Mission David Brownstein for ensuring their safety during the incident.
Khanna recounted being detained for 75 minutes, claiming that settlers blocked their exit and displayed a firearm. He emphasized the need for accountability for the settlers and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) involved in the situation.
The controversy escalated when Israeli analyst Eitan Fischberger shared videos on social media that he claimed contradicted Khanna’s narrative. Khanna dismissed Fischberger’s assertions as false.
“I wanted to go on a Palestinian-led trip to understand their perspective,” Khanna explained. “Seeing only one side of the story does not justify any aggression towards American citizens.”
Some analysts have interpreted Khanna’s visit as a publicity stunt ahead of the 2028 presidential election. Dan Diker from the Jerusalem Center for Security noted that the trip lacked proper coordination with Israeli security officials, which is typically essential for visits in sensitive areas.
In addition to facing criticism from Huckabee, Khanna was also called out by fellow Democrat Josh Gottheimer, who criticized him for not meeting with victims of recent violence in Israel. Khanna clarified that his purpose was to focus on Palestinian issues during the visit.
Israel’s Ambassador Yechiel Leiter responded to Khanna’s claims, emphasizing that coordination could have prevented miscommunication and expressing willingness to discuss concerns directly with the Congressman.
Khanna, in his statements, reaffirmed his belief that terrorism should be condemned, asserting his commitment to Israel’s right to exist while noting the complexities surrounding the situation.
The IDF confirmed that they were dispatched to the area due to reports of foreign nationals in a location believed to be a restricted zone, and stated that the incident concluded without violence.
Overall, this episode reflects the ongoing complexity of U.S.-Israel relations and the heightened political sensitivities surrounding visits to Israel, particularly in the context of the upcoming presidential elections.
