Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on a congressional committee that reviews weapons deals, has said he will not support a proposed $2.8bn US arms sale to Israel. His objection is not enough to stop the sale, as President 
Donald Trump's administration can sidestep Congress and press ahead anyway, the BBC reported. Meeks, a ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement that he remained committed to Israel's security.
The New York congressman said he would not back the transfer of 2,000lb (900kg) bombs to Israel over concerns they might not be used in accordance with international law. His objection follows reports that the US is planning to supply Israel with 40,000 of what Meeks called "some of the most destructive munitions in our arsenal". He said the deal "raises grave, unresolved concerns about how these munitions could be used in densely populated areas of Gaza and Lebanon". He also said it reflected Congress's "responsibility to ensure that US-funded weapons are used lawfully, responsibly, and with meaningful safeguards for human life".
Lawmakers are informed by the US State Department about arms sales exceeding a set dollar amount, allowing them to place an informal hold on a deal, the BBC reported. The president can still go ahead with the deal if he declares that an emergency requires an immediate sale, and blocking the weapons transfer would require a veto-proof resolution passed jointly by two-thirds of the House and Senate. The supply of the weapons is reported to be under Foreign Military Financing, a programme funded by American taxpayers that provides billions of dollars each year for Israel and other allies to buy US-made weapons.
Israel's use of General Dynamics-manufactured 2,000lb bombs in Gaza has drawn international anger owing to their devastating effects in densely populated civilian areas, the BBC reported. In 2024, then-President 
Joe Biden paused a shipment of the bombs to Israel, a move reversed when Trump returned to office last year. J Street, a liberal pro-Israel advocacy group, said in a statement to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz: "You cannot rebuild Gaza with 2,000lb bombs." The US-Israel relationship still has substantial bipartisan backing, but support has been softening among Democrats. In July, Republican lawmaker Thomas Massie forced a vote on a bill to cut $3.3bn in security aid to Israel and received support from 103 Democrats in the chamber; he was the only Republican to support the amendment.
Figures referenced: Donald Trump, Joe Biden. — JudgeMarket.
