![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Meeks-260916.avif\")
<\/a><\/p>\nU.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) speaks to members of the media at the U.S. Capitol Building on May 21, 2026 in Washington. (Photo by Andrew Harnik\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Meeks, a longtime supporter of Israel from New York, said he would not clear the transaction due to concerns that these 2,000-pound munitions would not be used in accordance with U.S. and international law. <\/p>\n
Despite his concerns, Meeks said in a statement that he remains \u201cfirmly committed to Israel\u2019s security and its ability to defend itself against serious regional threats.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 15-term congressman, known for his pragmatic and moderate stances, voiced concern about the potential sale of 40,000 of these bombs, which he described as \u201csome of the most destructive munitions in our arsenal.\u201d<\/p>\n
The proposal, he added, raised questions \u201cabout how these munitions could be used in densely populated areas of Gaza and Lebanon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Israel has said its use of American munitions is always in compliance with U.S. and other relevant laws.<\/p>\n
If Democrats are able to retake the House majority in November, Meeks would then become the chairman of the committee in January.<\/p>\n
More than two years ago, in April 2024, Meeks announced that he would block the sale of F-15 fighter jets to Israel, if he did not receive \u201cassurances\u201d as to the intended purposes of these jets.<\/p>\n
At the time, he told CNN that he had \u201cenough of the indiscriminate bombing\u201d and wanted to prevent Israel from utilizing weapons to create more deaths. <\/p>\n
Meeks has longstanding ties to the pro-Israel community. In 2020, when he was one of three Democrats on the committee seeking its chairmanship, he met with pro-Israel groups to get what was then their critical endorsement. <\/p>\n
The U.S.-Israel relationship has soured in recent years, especially over Israel\u2019s conduct of the Gaza war, and more recently Meeks has criticized the country\u2019s leadership. <\/p>\n
In February, Meeks slammed the decisions of Netanyahu and his Security Cabinet to expand Israel\u2019s control over the West Bank.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese actions deliberately and potentially irreversibly erode the possibility of a negotiated two-state solution\u201d he said in a statement, referring to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.<\/p>\n
While individual congressional committee members do not have unilateral power to prevent an arms sale, they are able to place a \u201chold\u201d on a transaction in order to acquire more information. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Trump administration has not provided sufficient assurances that these weapons will be used by the Netanyahu government in accordance with U.S. law and with appropriate protections for civilians,\u201d Meeks said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
This decision, he explained, does not weaken Congressional backing \u201cfor Israel\u2019s legitimate defense needs.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cIt reflects Congress\u2019s responsibility to ensure that U.S.-funded weapons are used lawfully, responsibly, and with meaningful safeguards for human life,\u201d Meeks added.<\/p>\n