Left-wing interviewer presses Ro Khanna on whether Hamas was justified to attack Israel on October 7

During a livestream event, Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) was repeatedly pressed by far-left journalist Jeremy Scahill of Drop Site regarding the justification of Hamas's October 7 attacks on Israel. Scahill questioned Khanna's stance, particularly after Khanna's claims of being detained by Israeli settlers in the West Bank and his accusations of Israeli "apartheid" and "genocide."

"Do Palestinians have a right to kill Israeli soldiers, Congressman? On October 7, when they attacked the military bases in the Gaza envelope, did the Al-Qassam Brigades and Saraya al-Quds have a right to kill Israeli soldiers? Yes or no?"

Khanna unequivocally stated, "I mean, I think October 7's attack was a terrorist attack, so I don't justify it." He further clarified, "No, I'm not going to say that Hamas had a right to attack Israeli soldiers or kill Israelis. I don't think that advances peace or advances Palestinian statehood." Scahill accused Khanna of a "double standard" for not justifying Palestinian attacks on Israeli soldiers while acknowledging Israel's right to self-defense, despite Khanna's continued criticism of Israel's actions.