Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing back hard against accusations that his government turns a blind eye to vigilante violence in the West Bank. The pushback comes after Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) claimed that Israeli settlers and IDF soldiers unlawfully detained him and other American citizens during a visit to the region.

On Sunday, Netanyahu appeared on NBC's "Meet the Press" and defended Israel's legal system. "We're a country of laws and people who break the law, we take them to court," he said. He acknowledged that the West Bank has seen repeated attacks against Israelis but argued that most settlers are law-abiding. "There are 150 juvenile delinquents that are not part of that community," Netanyahu said, adding that Israel does not support vigilante behavior and works to enforce the law.

Khanna wasn't buying it. In a post on X, he said Netanyahu was asked about "my illegal detainment with other Americans by violent settlers aided by 4 IDF soldiers." Khanna called for "arresting Yinon Levy, the settlers, and an investigation of the soldiers." He questioned, "Will Israel show any respect for American passport holders?"

According to Khanna, the confrontation happened while his group was visiting the West Bank. He alleged that armed settlers carrying M4 rifles kicked the tires of their van, mocked them, and recorded the encounter. When four IDF soldiers arrived, Khanna said they sided with the settlers instead of protecting the Americans. "The IDF is lying. What happened was unprecedented," Khanna said. "They had violent settlers detain American citizens, including an American government official." He demanded that Netanyahu open an investigation into the settlers connected to Yinon Levy and into the four IDF officers involved.

The incident occurred near Khirbet Zanuta on Saturday, after Khanna's team contacted the U.S. Embassy. Eyewitness Nadav Weiman said armed settlers and later Israeli soldiers detained the delegation for more than an hour, contradicting the IDF's version of events. The IDF said troops dispersed Israeli civilians and allowed the group to proceed. Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) criticized Khanna's visit, while Khanna called for accountability against those who threatened American citizens.

Netanyahu's comments and Khanna's allegations highlight the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Israel over West Bank policy, with American lawmakers increasingly scrutinizing Israeli actions toward Palestinians and international visitors.