{"id":2630158,"date":"2026-07-15T14:22:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T18:22:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ro-khanna-rebukes-hamass-oct-7-attacks-in-tense-interview\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T14:23:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T18:23:32","slug":"ro-khanna-rebukes-hamass-oct-7-attacks-in-tense-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ro-khanna-rebukes-hamass-oct-7-attacks-in-tense-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"Ro Khanna rebukes Hamas&#8217;s Oct. 7 attacks in tense interview"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fro-khanna-rebukes-hamass-oct-7-attacks-in-tense-interview%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2630158&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) was criticized from the Left for refusing to endorse Hamas\u2019s October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel during a contentious interview with Drop Site News. Despite his sharp criticism of the israeli government following a trip to the West Bank,Khanna declined to justify Hamas\u2019s actions,calling the attack a &#8220;terrorist attack&#8221; and emphasizing his support for peaceful resistance inspired by figures like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.He also criticized Israel\u2019s response in Gaza, describing it as genocide, while affirming Israel\u2019s right to pursue those responsible for the attack. <\/p>\n<p>The interview focused on whether Palestinians had the right to attack Israeli military bases, with Khanna refusing to justify Hamas\u2019s assault. his stance contrasts with some in his party and drew additional scrutiny after claims he was detained by israeli authorities during his visit,which he disputed. Khanna&#8217;s positions and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >visits reflect ongoing tensions<\/a> within the Democratic Party over the Israel-Hamas conflict, with some critics viewing his views as too sympathetic to Palestinians and Hamas. The interview and related incidents are part of broader debates in U.S.politics about support for Israel, palestinian rights, and how Democrats navigate these complex issues amid internal and external pressure.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ro-khanna\/\">Ro Khanna<\/a> (D-CA) found himself under fire from the Left on Tuesday after refusing to endorse Hamas\u2019s Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DropSiteNews\/status\/2077071810441466363?s=20\">during a contentious interview<\/a> with <em>Drop Site News<\/em>, despite his increasingly sharp criticism of the Israeli government following a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/4647688\/cheap-theatrics-ro-khanna-west-bank\/\">recent trip to the West Bank<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The interview, conducted by <em>Drop Site News<\/em> co-founder Jeremy Scahill, repeatedly focused on whether Palestinians had the right to attack Israeli soldiers during the Oct. 7 assault. Scahill argued the initial targets were Israeli military bases, while Khanna declined to say Hamas was justified in attacking either soldiers or civilians.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4649426\/clark-breaks-with-jeffries-massie-bid-cut-aid-israel\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>No. 2 House Democrat breaks with Jeffries on Israel aid vote<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4648824\/mike-johnson-vulnerable-republicans-fundraising-haul\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Johnson doles out $100,000 to vulnerable Republicans from major $19 million fundraising haul<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4648220\/house-approves-permanent-daylight-saving-time\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>House approves permanent daylight saving time<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDid Palestinians have a right to attack Israeli military bases in the Gaza envelope?\u201d Scahill asked. \u201cYes or no?\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Khanna called Oct. 7 \u201ca terrorist attack\u201d and rejected the premise.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019m not going to say that Hamas had a right to attack Israeli soldiers or kill Israelis,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t think that advances peace or advances Palestinian statehood.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scahill accused Khanna of applying a \u201cdouble standard,\u201d arguing that the California Democrat recognized Israel\u2019s right to respond militarily while refusing to justify Palestinian attacks on Israeli soldiers. Khanna responded by invoking the philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., saying he has \u201calways been for peaceful resistance\u201d and later adding, \u201cI\u2019m much more Dr. King than Malcolm X.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although Khanna rejected Hamas\u2019s actions, he maintained his criticism of Israel\u2019s war in Gaza, saying Israel had the right to pursue those responsible for Oct. 7 \u201cbut not in the way they went about it, which I\u2019ve said is genocide.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The interview came just days after <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/beltway-confidential\/4646411\/ro-khanna-anti-israel-stunt-norm-desperate-democrats-2028-elections\/\">Khanna\u2019s visit to the West Bank<\/a>, where he said Israeli settlers detained him and members of his delegation for 75 minutes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe had informed the Israeli Embassy,\u201d Khanna<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/world\/mike-huckabee-rejects-ro-khannas-israel-visit-claims-not-held-gunpoint\"> told <\/a>Fox News.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That account was disputed by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/GovMikeHuckabee\/status\/2076998587225915817?s=20\">wrote on X <\/a>that the embassy \u201cdid NOT know a member of Congress was coming\u201d and said officials would have advised Khanna not to enter the restricted area. Huckabee also disputed claims that Khanna had been \u201cheld at gunpoint.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4644171\/israel-democrats-litmus-test-democratic-primaries\/\"><strong>ISRAEL BECOMES DEMOCRATS\u2019 ABORTION-STYLE LITMUS TEST <\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tuesday\u2019s exchange is the latest example of Khanna facing criticism from anti-Israel activists despite moving further left on the conflict. Earlier this month, he also drew backlash after declining to support a complete U.S. arms embargo on Israel during an interview with political streamer Hasan Piker, who has publicly expressed support for Hamas and has repeatedly faced accusations of antisemitism from critics.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Drop Site News<\/em>, which launched in 2024 with an extensive interview featuring two senior Hamas leaders, has drawn criticism from opponents who argue its coverage gives undue weight to Hamas\u2019s claims and messaging.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Khanna faces left criticism after not endorsing Hamas attack<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2657,"featured_media":2630159,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26192670872469-e1784136978762.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[82762,50400,82760,32530,82761],"class_list":["post-2630158","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-congressional-critique","tag-hamas-2","tag-oct-7-attacks-2","tag-ro-khanna","tag-tense-interview"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26192670872469-e1784136978762.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2630158","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2657"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2630158"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2630158\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2630162,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2630158\/revisions\/2630162"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2630159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2630158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2630158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2630158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}