'I Have Something Unique To Offer': Indian-Origin US Democrat Ro Khanna Hints At 2028 Presidential Run
'I Have Something Unique To Offer': Indian-Origin US Democrat Ro Khanna Hints At 2028 Presidential Run Published By, Last Updated: July 11, 2026, 23:04 IST
'I Have Something Unique To Offer': Indian-Origin US Democrat Ro Khanna Hints At 2028 Presidential Run Published By, Last Updated: July 11, 2026, 23:04 IST Khanna hinted at his presidential ambitions after he was detained by a group of armed Israeli settlers while visiting a Palestinian village in the West Bank. Rapid Read Indian-origin US Democrat Ro Khanna. (Reuters) Indian-origin US lawmaker Ro Khanna hinted at running for President in the 2028 elections, with his latest visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank and his stance on Palestinian rights forming a key part of his campaign. The revelation came after Khanna was detained by a group of armed Israeli settlers while visiting a Palestinian village in the West Bank that was destroyed by recent settler attacks, which have escalated since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Khanna said it was a deeply frightening experience, recalling how the settler group carrying US-made M4 rifles blocked his vehicle and that the Israeli military supported the settlers instead of helping him. “Imagine how people feel every day, Palestinians under the occupation, if they could make an American congressperson feel powerless for 90 minutes," he told The New York Times.
What Will Khanna Offer As US President? When asked by Reuters if he was running for president, Khanna said he was “strongly considering" it and his visit to West Bank would form a key part of his presidential campaign. “I have something unique to offer about the injustices of Palestinians. I’m going to go to every corner of America, regardless of whether I run or not, and tell their stories and tell the story of what is happening in the West Bank," he said after his experience with Israeli settlers. Khanna’s stance marks a significant shift in how US presidential candidates have approached Israel during their election campaigns. For decades, presidential aspirants have demonstrated their commitment to the longstanding relationship between the United States and Israel. However, progressive politicians have become ardent critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank after the October 7 attacks. Several Democratic politicians have publicly criticised Israel’s actions in Palestinian territories, including the rise of violent attacks by Israeli settlers, and called on the US administration to cut off military aid to the Jewish state. As Democrats’ view of Israel declines, Khanna’s visit to the West Bank indicates that presidential aspirants are preparing for US-Israel ties to be a litmus test for 2028, according to the NYT.
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