Top House Democrat Places Hold on $2.8 Billion Bomb Sale to Israel

The top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee has placed a hold on a proposed $2.8 billion US weapons sale to Israel.

Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York announced on Wednesday that he would not clear the transaction, which includes approximately 40,000 2,000-pound bombs.

Meeks said he remained committed to Israel’s security and its ability to defend itself against regional threats. However, he said the administration had not provided sufficient assurances regarding how the weapons would be used in densely populated areas of Gaza and Lebanon.

He said his concerns centered on whether the munitions would be used in accordance with US and international law and with appropriate protections for civilians.

Congress is reviewing the proposed package through an informal process that gives senior members of the House and Senate foreign affairs committees an opportunity to examine major weapons sales before the administration formally notifies Congress.

Meeks’s decision can delay that process, but it does not give him an absolute veto over the sale. The administration could still proceed, including by using emergency authorities to bypass the usual congressional review process.

The Trump administration has previously used emergency authorities to accelerate weapons transfers to Israel.

However, the State Department has released few public details about the proposed sale beyond information reported by officials familiar with the package.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has previously used emergency authorities to accelerate weapons transfers to Israel.

Meeks said he placed the hold to ensure congressional oversight of US-funded weapons transfers, while stressing that he continues to support Israel’s defense needs.