Getty ImagesThe top Democrat on a congressional committee that reviews weapons deals has said he will not support a proposed $2.8bn (£2.1bn) arms sale to Israel.
Gregory Meeks 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.
The New York congressman’s 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”.
But his objection is not enough to stop the sale – President Donald Trump’s administration can sidestep Congress and press ahead anyway.
But he said that the deal “raises grave, unresolved concerns about how these munitions could be used in densely populated areas of Gaza and Lebanon”.
He said it reflected Congress’s “responsibility to ensure that US-funded weapons are used lawfully, responsibly, and with meaningful safeguards for human life”.
The BBC has asked the Israeli Embassy for comment.
J Street, a liberal pro-Israel advocacy group, said in a statement to Israeli newspaper Haaretz: “You cannot rebuild Gaza with 2,000lb bombs.”
Lawmakers are informed by the US state department about arms sales exceeding a set dollar amount, allowing them to place an informal hold on the deal.
But the president can go ahead with the deal if he declares that an emergency requires an immediate sale.
A veto-proof resolution passed jointly by two-thirds of the House and Senate would be required to block the weapons transfer.
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.
In 2024, then-President Joe Biden paused a shipment of the bombs to Israel – a move reversed when President Trump returned to office last year.
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.
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 he received support from 103 Democrats in the chamber. He was the only Republican to support the amendment.
