1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

I am writing today with deep concern regarding the recent detention of U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna in the West Bank. According to reports, Rep. Khanna and his team were detained by armed Israeli settlers and subsequently held by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) for over an hour while visiting a Palestinian village. This incident raises serious questions about the safety of American officials and the treatment of U.S. citizens by a nation that receives significant military and financial support from our government. It is unacceptable that a sitting member of the United States Congress was threatened with American-made weapons, intimidated, and prevented from traveling freely. As Rep. Khanna noted, this is a dangerous precedent. If this can happen to a long-shot presidential candidate and sitting Representative, we must consider the daily reality for Palestinians without such protections. I urge you to take the following actions: 1. Publicly Condemn the Incident: I request that you issue a statement condemning the detention of Rep. Khanna and calling for a full and transparent investigation into the actions of the IDF soldiers and settlers involved. 2. Demand Accountability: The Israeli government must be held accountable. I ask that you press the State Department to ensure that those responsible are prosecuted and that the United States receives a clear explanation of why this occurred. 3. Review U.S. Policy: This incident underscores the need for Congress to closely examine how U.S. taxpayer dollars are used in the region. I urge you to support measures that ensure U.S. aid does not facilitate human rights abuses or actions that endanger American citizens. It is the duty of our elected officials to protect American citizens and uphold the values of democracy and freedom abroad. I look forward to your response regarding the steps you will take to address this incident.