U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House of Representatives foreign affairs committee, announced his opposition on Wednesday to the proposed sale of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel due to concerns about potential violations of international law.
The Trump administration is preparing a $2.8 billion munitions package for Israel, which includes tens of thousands of highly destructive 2,000-pound bombs, according to a knowledgeable U.S. official. While congressional committees typically review such sales informally, Meeks’ objection alone cannot block the sale from proceeding.
President Trump has previously bypassed Congressional oversight to expedite military sales to Israel, showcasing his close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government even prior to their joint actions against Iran on February 28.
The planned munitions sale, which has been informally notified to relevant congressional committees overseeing major arms deals, consists of 20,000 MK-84s and 20,000 BLU-117s, as disclosed by the official speaking anonymously.
Initial reports about the munitions package were published by The Washington Post. Both the State Department and the Israeli Embassy have not yet provided comments on the matter.
In a statement, Meeks emphasized his commitment to Israel’s security but expressed serious reservations about the Trump administration’s proposal to sell 40,000 2,000-pound bombs, highlighting concerns regarding their potential use in densely populated regions like Gaza and Lebanon.
Public support for Israel in the U.S. has declined since the conflict in Gaza in 2023, particularly among Democrats. A recent poll by Quinnipiac University in June revealed a significant increase in the percentage of voters, especially Democrats, who perceive the U.S. as overly supportive of Israel compared to previous years.
The utilization of 2,000-pound bombs by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon has attracted scrutiny from human rights organizations. The military campaigns by Israel have resulted in the deaths of over 73,000 Palestinians, as reported by Gaza health authorities. Although a UN investigation concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, Israel denies these allegations.
Following the U.S. and Israel’s attack on Iran on February 28, Iran retaliated by targeting Israel and Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases. Subsequent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Israeli operations in Lebanon have led to casualties in the thousands and displaced millions of individuals.
