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Top Democrat places hold on Trump administration’s plan to sell heavy bombs to Israel
Meeks said the 2,000-pound bombs could be used unlawfully and warned the administration has not given sufficient assurances for civilian protections.
- On Wednesday, Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York said he will block a proposed $2.8 billion arms sale to Israel, citing "grave, unresolved concerns" about 40,000 2,000-pound bombs' use in densely populated Gaza and Lebanon areas.
- The Biden administration previously paused 2,000-pound bomb transfers over mass casualty concerns; the sale follows Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and ongoing Gaza conflict that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and decimated the enclave.
- Meeks stated the Trump administration has not provided sufficient assurances that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government will use weapons in accordance with U.S. law and appropriate civilian protections; the Trump administration approved $6.67 billion in arms sales to Israel in January.
- Meeks' objections will likely not halt the transaction, informally notified to lawmakers on Tuesday; the State Department did not respond to comment requests, and Rubio previously bypassed normal review to approve a nearly $3 billion sale last year.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio can invoke emergency national security authority to bypass Congress once formally notified, a power he has used before, as the sale reflects the Trump administration's broader pattern strengthening Israel's military amid international isolation over Gaza.
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POLITICS: The left lobs yet another ‘Big Lie’ on Israel — and the fallout keeps getting worse
The left’s Big Lies about Israel keep growing bigger — as do the ugly consequences. The latest: Rep. Gregory Meeks’ bid to place a “hold” on a $2.8 billion sale of US bombs to the Jewish state. “The Trump administration’s proposed sale of 40,000 2,000-pound bombs . . . raises grave, unresolved concerns about how these munitions could be used in densely populated areas of Gaza and Lebanon,” huffed Meeks; it’s empty virtue-signaling, since he can’…
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Total News Sources85
Leaning Left14Leaning Right24Center17Last UpdatedBias Distribution44% Right
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources lean Right
44% Right
L 25%
C 31%
R 44%
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