U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has accused Representative Ro Khanna of falsehoods concerning his recent visit to the West Bank. Khanna claimed the American Embassy was aware of his visit, which Huckabee refuted, emphasizing they were not informed and would have advised against visiting restricted zones.

During Khanna’s tour, he was reportedly detained by Israeli settlers for over an hour. He insisted the visit was coordinated with the Israeli embassy, which was further supported by Deputy Chief of Mission David Brownstein. Khanna also advocated for prosecuting the settlers and investigating the IDF officers involved.

Footage released challenging Khanna’s claim of a violent detainment, with critics suggesting the trip was politically motivated in advance of a possible presidential run. Khanna’s pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel activism history was highlighted as a factor.

Critics, including Dan Diker from the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, dismissed Khanna’s visit as a publicity stunt without proper coordination with U.S. or Israeli security. Khanna faced criticism within his party, with Rep. Josh Gottheimer condemning him for not addressing survivors of recent terrorist attacks.

Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, criticized Khanna’s actions to the media as an opportunistic provocation and offered a meeting to discuss grievances. Khanna accepted the offer, stating his intention to use the incident constructively.

The IDF confirmed there was no violence during the incident and emphasized the importance of prior diplomatic coordination to avoid such situations. Khanna maintains his stance against Hamas, labeling the group as a terrorist organization while expressing support for Israel’s right to exist.

Security protocols necessitate informed coordination for visits to sensitive areas such as the West Bank, underscoring the risks associated with unforeseen incidents in these regions.