Greg Meeks, the Democratic representative from New York and chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced on Wednesday that he will block a proposed $2.8 billion sale of heavy weapons to Israel. Meeks stated that there are serious concerns about the misuse of these powerful bombs in densely populated areas of Gaza and Lebanon.
Humanitarian and Human Rights Concerns
Meeks said in a statement: “The Trump administration has not provided sufficient assurances that these weapons will be used by the government of Benjamin Netanyahu in accordance with U.S. laws and with appropriate protections for civilians.” These remarks come as Israel faces international criticism due to the war in Gaza and the deadly attacks of October 7, 2023.
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The proposed sale includes 40,000 2,000-pound bombs that had previously been halted by the Biden administration due to concerns about potential widespread civilian casualties. These weapons could have serious impacts on civilian lives in conflict zones.
Sale Process and Political Implications
Meeks clarified that he will not vote for this sale at this time. However, it appears that his objections will not affect this sale, as the matter has been informally communicated to lawmakers and may soon be formally presented to Congress. If this sale is officially presented to Congress, Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, could bypass the congressional review process by declaring an emergency decision.
Rubio has previously taken such actions, for example, last year he bypassed the normal congressional review process to approve a sale of nearly $3 billion to Israel. Additionally, in January, the administration also approved a new series of arms sales to Israel worth $6.67 billion.
The State Department has not responded to requests for comment on the new sale or Meeks' objections. This sale continues the Trump administration's efforts to bolster Israel's military capacity.
The conflicts in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians and devastated the region. While the United States has managed to establish a fragile ceasefire, the violence continues.
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Source: abcnews.com
