U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks, the leading 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 their potential misuse in violation of international law. The Trump administration is planning to provide Israel with a munitions package valued at $2.8 billion, which includes tens of thousands of highly destructive 2,000-pound bombs, according to a knowledgeable U.S. official.
While congressional committee leaders review such arms sales informally, Meeks’ objection alone does not have the authority to block the sale. President Trump has previously bypassed Congressional oversight to expedite military sales to Israel, highlighting his close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
The planned munitions sale, including 20,000 MK-84s and 20,000 BLU-117s, has been informally communicated to relevant congressional committees responsible for evaluating significant arms transactions. The news of this sale was initially reported by The Washington Post. Both the State Department and the Israeli Embassy have not yet responded to requests for comment.
In a statement, Meeks affirmed his commitment to Israel’s security but expressed serious concerns about the potential use of 40,000 2,000-pound bombs, emphasizing the unresolved risks of deploying such destructive munitions in densely populated areas like Gaza and Lebanon.
Recent polls indicate a decline in U.S. public support for Israel, particularly among Democrats, following the Gaza conflict in 2023. A survey by Quinnipiac University found that a growing percentage of voters, especially Democrats, believe the U.S. is overly supportive of Israel compared to previous years.
The utilization of 2,000-pound bombs by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon has drawn scrutiny from human rights experts. The ongoing military operations have resulted in a significant number of Palestinian casualties, with over 73,000 reported deaths according to Gaza health authorities. While a UN investigation accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, Israel has denied these allegations.
The hostilities between the U.S., Israel, and Iran on February 28 led to retaliatory strikes, causing casualties and displacing millions of individuals.