“We were at a village that Israeli settlers had destroyed, they had destroyed the school, they had destroyed that village, and we were just looking at it,” said Khanna, a progressive lawmaker from California in the U.S. House of ​Representatives.

“And these hoodlums come in with machine guns – M4, an American-made machine gun – and they detain us. They block off the road. And then they call the IDF and ​the IDF is on their side, not on the side of the Americans,” Khanna said, referring to the Israeli military.

An aide to ⁠Khanna who was in the group, Cameron Kasky, said they were held for more than an hour and made appeals to the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem for help. A group ​of officers who appeared to be police eventually intervened, leading to their release, Kasky said.

    • Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      “If you’re unwilling to ​speak up for Palestinian ⁠human rights, if you’re unwilling to speak up against the genocide in Gaza, the apartheid in the West Bank, then you are morally compromised,” Khanna said.

      Ah yes, classic Zionist rhetoric

      • Maeve@kbin.earth
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        1 day ago

        He stopped taking naked aipac money and is now taking it from a superpac that hides it.

          • BillCheddar@lemmy.world
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            All you’re going to get is links that mean nothing and a promise to provide evidence later.

            OP is a liar and IDK why you’re bothering to engage.

            • Maeve@kbin.earth
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              Op has a life with other things to do than argue with infantile minds who can’t* do an iota of critical thinking or reading. Ftfy

                • Maeve@kbin.earth
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                  24 hours ago

                  https://forward.com/fast-forward/777256/ro-khanna-democratic-critic-of-israel-says-he-supports-zionism-and-the-right-for-israel-to-exist/

                  https://theintercept.com/2025/12/30/aipac-campaigns-elections-israel-congress/

                  “We know AIPAC knows their brand is toxic,” Newman said. “So much so, they are taking their brand out of campaigns and funneling their money through other PACs and donors such as 314 science, DMFI, several small PACs, and of course individual AIPAC members who give as a donor because the candidates can say they received money from donors, not AIPAC, to avoid association with AIPAC.”

                  AIPAC isn’t necessarily backing off under fire — it’s returning to the way it operated before it started spending directly on elections in the 2022 cycle. Prior to launching its super PAC and regular affiliated PAC, AIPAC was active in politics for more than half a century, working quietly in the halls of Congress and around Washington, D.C., to establish one of the most successful lobbying apparatuses in the country. First launched as a machine to counter negative press coverage of Israel, AIPAC quickly expanded its focus to influencing U.S. policy toward Israel. It positioned itself as a key source of information on Middle East issues for members of Congress and built out regional offices across the country, energizing a network of local pro-Israel activists. AIPAC has routinely lobbied presidents and congressional offices, funded trips to Israel for members of Congress and hosted members to address its annual policy conference, extending its reach into the halls of power without touching electoral politics.

                  “Clearly, AIPAC knows exactly how toxic they are to Democratic Party voters who see them as a right-wing extremist lobby, championing a right-wing agenda, and funded by right-wing megadonors trying to buy our elections,” said Justice Democrats spokesperson Usamah Andrabi. “Voters are not interested in politicians who say one thing to their constituents and another to billionaire Republican donors, but AIPAC excels at finding candidates eager to reject authenticity and embrace moral cowardice if it means a seat in Congress.”

                  • BillCheddar@lemmy.world
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                    23 hours ago

                    None of that has a damn thing to do with Ro Khanna. It’s more bullshit from you because you literally cannot back up the point you made.

            • Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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              You’ve shown they have a page for other people to donate money to him, not the PAC itself, and not how much he’s received. I’ll wait for actual evidence.

                • Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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                  I’m still waiting for anyone to show me how much money he’s received. Or explain why I should be upset about what amounts to a gofundme page.

                  • Maeve@kbin.earth
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                    He’s a Zionist. His own words. Now it’s election time. It’s not just that you want to support your abusers. It’s that you want everyone who would leave them to stay.

          • geneva_convenience@lemmy.mlOP
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            It only tracks AIPAC money though. Bernie is taking J-street money and is somehow still green. TrackAIPAC is very corrupt.

            • badgermurphy@lemmy.world
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              23 hours ago

              Bernie remembers the old Washington politics. You can take the lobbyist money and still do whatever you want.

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                  22 hours ago

                  Maybe, but I dont know about hardcore. I have literally watched him vote against Zionist legislation before on the most boring TV channel. I suppose it could have been strategic voting that he had foreknowledge that would make his vote irrelevant, but I also have heard at at least some calls against occupation from him, as well.

                  I dont particularly love or hate the man, though he does seem to have some sort of principles that he’s stuck to longer than I’ve lived. That makes him way above average for a politician in this country. We have to grade on the curve over here, since our national politics is a clown show in a media circus.

                  • geneva_convenience@lemmy.mlOP
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                    22 hours ago

                    No i mean actual hardcore. He only opposes some offensive weapons to stop Israel from committing genocide but he fully supports defending the genocidal Apartheid against retaliation.

                    He also opposes BDS and other measures to oppose Israel.

                  • doben@lemmy.ml
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                    17 hours ago

                    We have to grade on the curve over here, …

                    No, no you really don’t. Stop being so god damn tame.

      • doben@lemmy.ml
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        Yes, classic liberal Zionist rhetoric.

        Is the Democratic Party no longer a pro Israel party?

        We’re a party that believes in two states and peace. (…) Why aren’t we doing the Arab Peace Plan? Two states, you have a Palestinian state, which is demilitarized, and an Israeli state. That’s what we’re for, we should be for peace and we should be for justice in this region. (…) And yes, we need a secure Israel, but not an Israel led by Netanyahu, who killed 70.000 people in Gaza. (…) I’m for the Iron Dome technology, (…) I’m glad Israel has it.

        He’s towing the party line, and the Democratic Party is very much a Zionist organisation. He doesn’t like the optics of the genocide, blames the current regime and complains about the lost support of the younger generation and that a foreign prime minister sits in the holy US-American situation room, as only US-American presidents decide which war crimes (in the name of the USA) are to be made. He what’s to reduce open pro Israel spending, as he’s advocating America First ideology.

        He’s supporting the Zionist project. Stop coping.

        • Catoblepas@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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          We could use more ‘Zionists’ that denounce genocide, apartheid, and go to Palestine to draw attention to the issue 🤷‍♂️ I’m not impressed by you trotting out the party position and blaming it on him personally, especially when he’s specifically calling out his own party in the article I guess you didn’t read. What has he said and done that’s Zionist?

          • doben@lemmy.ml
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            Yes, it’s a good thing he calls the things that are the things that are, after almost 3 years of relentless barbarism, I’d say that’s approaching the bare minimum threshold. clap clap. I don’t give a shit, what position he takes in his Zionist party in order to shape the brand of said party to soften the outrage of their voter base and position himself as the reasonable presidential candidate.

            I believe that Zionism is self-determination of the Jewish people, and the right for Israel to exist. And I support that.

            He expresses support for a political ideology based on racism, aiming for an ethno-nationalist state.

            He repeatedly supports the notion of a “right to exist”, which is not a real thing; it’s only an argument in the context of defending the Zionist project. He’s proclaiming a right to exist for a settler colonial project based on ethnic cleansing and occupation of Palestinian land.

            (…) antisemitism is denying the idea of a Jewish state. And I reject those (…) premises.

            He expresses support for an etno-nationalist idea and also conflated anti-semitism with anti-zionism, which itself is anti-semitic.

            Previously, I quoted him expressing support for a two-state solution under Israeli term. A two-state solution that requires Palestinians to recognize Israel as a Jewish state enshrines its ethno-nationalist character. A “demilitarized” Palestinian state would lack genuine sovereignty while Israel retains full military capacity—making it a subordinate entity, not a state of equals. The very premise accepts the legitimacy of a Jewish state on Palestinian land.

            As I already quoted several things he said that are Zionist by definition in my previous comment, I suspect you don’t really have an understanding of what it even means. I’m not willing to descent into some back-and-forth with a person that’s primarily looking for excuses. Either learn, or stop pretending.

            On Zionism:

            Interview:

        • wheezy@lemmy.ml
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          Let them praise him. He doesn’t have to be an antizionist. He’s a symbol of antizionism here. That’s whats being praised.

          Like, I have my criticisms of the “two state - right to exist” Liberals. But, what did you expect progress to look like comrade? The same Liberals that spent years talking about October 7th in every sentence and “right to defend itself”. Those liberals are being forced to acknowledge the crimes of Israel. This is a win. You’re making those that advocate for Palestinians look unreasonable and irrational.

          I understand being upset at these libs. I understand why you still call him a Zionist. But, my friend, please, we have a long way to go still; criticizing a Congressman felt a fraction of a fraction of the oppression Palestinians feel every day in the West Bank. It’s not productive in this context. There are plenty of context to criticize him. The libs see this and dislike Israel. Just let that be the discussion.

          Apartheid South Africa ended when the liberals of the West were finally forced by activist and leftist into performative things just like this. This is a good sign. Let it happen.

          The liberals praising anything against Israel is good. We’re gonna have to cringe and bite our tongue when they treat Congressman as heroic for this. They are treating action against Israel as a positive. They are treating West Bank settlers as enemies. That’s amazing. Remember where we came from just three years ago; and where we are today. They’ll understand your current criticism one day. But this is not the context in which to educate them.

          • doben@lemmy.ml
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            Weird plea, sorry. This post has more than enough praise for the guy. I’m merely stating facts to rebuke naive or false narratives and to stop Zionist normalization. It’s not my job to appease Liberals or refrain from stating inconvenient truths.

            Some Libs might see this and break through. Let it happen.

            I don’t give a shit about congressmen in the imperialist core and I’m certainly not going to support controlled opposition of a system I reject outright. This system has to end. Fuck off.

            • wheezy@lemmy.ml
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              My “plea” is simply that when you talk to people that are ripe for radicalization, you ask yourself first “is this helpful” rather than just caring only about “being correct”.

              It’s the “coffee shop” test mate. If you overheard a conversation about the OP in a coffee shop would you bust in and start screaming about how much of a Zionist the Congressman is? Or would you act like a normal human being and try to meet people where they are at? You don’t convince people that are just finally becoming critical of Israel of your (our) position by not first acknowledging where they are correct in their thinking. We are humans. They’re gonna close their minds when you say shit like this. You’re not saying something to be helpful. You’re saying something to be “shocking” to them for your own self self aggrandizement.

              You started this with “the zionist is getting attacked by Zionist”. You said that for yourself. You only started “educating” people after you got the reaction you were looking for. So you could argue with someone that would never agree with you because you essentially screamed at them in a coffee shop.

              I’m literally commenting here in response to you only because of how badly you’re communicating something I agree with. I don’t think I deserve a “fuck off” for that. But, I guess if you were good at communicating we wouldn’t have gotten to that point in the first place.

              • doben@lemmy.ml
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                You‘re ridiculous. Please stop wasting my time with your fantasy arguments.

                1. That guy Catoblepas wasn’t ripe for radicalization by any means. They’re trying to find excuses as to why the talking points of his Democratic Party hopeful are morally good. They also don’t understand what Zionism is.
                2. We‘re not in a coffee shop, but in an international forum about (political) world news. I‘m invited to participate by the nature of the thing we‘re communicating on. Drink your coffee however you want, but if you showcase your ignorance on the internet, chances are, someone will call you out for it. You are inserting yourself in this fictional coffee shop situation yourself, only you are tone policing and attacking by the use of ad hominem.
                3. I’m not screaming.
                4. I met them, where they’re at, as they participated and showcased some kind of ignorance (as in “lack of knowledge”), by stating untrue things to make a point. I replied fact based and calm.
                5. By holding facts against misguided feelings, I’m very much saying something to be helpful.
                6. There’s nothing shocking about what I said. I fact checked the other user. If it’s shocking to people that their favorite latest Party talking head is not actually the cool guy they thought he would be, then idk, someone should confront them with their delusions. Kinda sad, that you claim that position, without actually doing it.
                7. The only self aggrandizement is coming from you, as you proclaim to have moral superiority by way of your moderate language (which is not moderate, mind you) and by standing tall as the wise person, reprimanding other user’s communication. You’re also ridiculous, as your critiques are misguided and flat out wrong.
                8. I did not start this thread, I did not post the jesting commentary “Zionist detained by Zionist is pretty funny, NGL. 😂” – that was @Maeve@kbin.earth – and they were factually correct. And it’s exactly funny, because it’s true. It’s also sad. This is the state of things.
                9. I only started educating people, how you frame it, after they put out claims, that contradicted the previous comment and my understanding of the factors involved. Only then, did I check for myself, what the actual stances of the politician in question are by actually doing some research, listening and reading and as I saw the contradictions cleared, I shared them with the user propagating the incorrect information by providing quotes and sources.
                10. The only person looking for some reaction is you, by counterfactually tone policing other people.
                11. I didn’t argue with someone that would never agree with me, how would I know? I corrected misinformation by stating facts in the hope that this person or any other onlooker would be able to see through the demagogic rhetoric of a politician trying to impress people in order for them to vote for him.
                12. I didn’t scream, I’m not in a coffee shop. I’m in the biggest community of the fediverse, which is full of liberal confusions, western propaganda and even mods making sure it stays that way.
                13. You’re literally commenting, because you think you’re better than me. You are absolutely way off base and largely just wrong, which makes this whole thing quite embarrassing. If you’d be worried about my communication destroying the seemingly fragile progress you made in educating liberal people by appeasement, you could have send a message. But actually, you decided to be the screamer in a fictional coffee shop. The fuck off is warranted, an excuse for your deranged allegations and defaming deliberations, too.
                14. And no, Apartheid Africa did not end because of liberal appeasement. Just LOL.
                • wheezy@lemmy.ml
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                  6 hours ago

                  You need to go outside mate. I’m not reading all that. You’re proving my point of being bad at communicating with people. THATS MY CRITICISM. Which you didn’t address from a quick glance of your novel. You’re doing the thing I’m critizing you for. Good day.

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                    5 hours ago

                    Classic.
                    Sleazy wheezy, I see.

                    I had to read your two mistaken diatribes, too. I‘m reacting directly to their substance. You‘re so full of yourself, that you‘re not even reading the answers.

                    Stop accusing me of shit I didnt do.
                    Stop being dishonest.
                    Stop harrassing me.

        • Maeve@kbin.earth
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          This is why people don’t leave their abusers. They keep listening to what they say, instead of watching what they do.

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            23 hours ago

            Ro Khanna literally went to the West Bank to experience things first hand where he was effectively kidnapped by Israeli terrorists and the IDF. Is that not doing?

    • Hell_nah_brother@thelemmy.club
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      Next up we’re gonna have my little boi Bernie telling us it’s wrong to own stolen land. Ehi ehi, why aren’t you clapping him?