U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks, the leading Democrat on the House of Representatives foreign affairs committee, announced on Wednesday his opposition to the proposed sale of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel due to apprehensions regarding the potential misuse of these munitions in violation of international law.
The Trump administration is preparing to provide Israel with a munitions package valued at $2.8 billion, which includes tens of thousands of highly potent 2,000-pound bombs, as disclosed by a knowledgeable U.S. official.
While congressional committee leaders traditionally evaluate such arms sales through an informal process, Meeks’s disapproval alone does not have the authority to obstruct the president from proceeding with the sale. President Trump has previously bypassed Congressional scrutiny to expedite military transactions with Israel, showcasing his close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration even before the joint military operation against Iran on February 28.
The planned sale, communicated informally to relevant congressional panels overseeing significant arms deals, comprises 20,000 MK-84s and 20,000 BLU-117s, according to an anonymous official.
Initial reports regarding the package were published by The Washington Post. Both the State Department and the Israeli Embassy have not yet responded to requests for comments.
In a statement, Meeks emphasized his dedication to Israel’s security but expressed serious concerns about the Trump administration’s proposal to provide 40,000 2,000-pound bombs, highlighting unresolved issues on the potential deployment of these munitions in densely populated regions of Gaza and Lebanon.
Public backing for Israel in the U.S. has declined since the onset of the Gaza conflict in 2023, particularly among Democrats. A survey by Quinnipiac University in June showed that 48% of voters and 66% of Democrats feel that the U.S. is overly supportive of Israel, a notable increase from past years.
The use of 2,000-pound bombs by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon has attracted scrutiny from human rights advocates. Gaza health authorities report that over 73,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in Israel’s military operations. Despite allegations of genocide in Gaza by a UN investigation, Israel denies the accusations.
On February 28, the U.S. and Israel launched an offensive against Iran, prompting retaliatory strikes by Iran on Israel and Gulf nations hosting U.S. military installations. The ensuing U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran and Israeli operations in Lebanon have resulted in significant casualties and massive displacements.
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