# Democrats block $2.8B bomb sale to Israel

> Top lawmakers invoke rare procedural holds on weapons transfer, signaling party fracture over Gaza.
- Title: Democrats block $2.8B bomb sale to Israel · Mother Jones
- Summary: Top lawmakers invoke rare procedural holds on weapons transfer, signaling party fracture over Gaza. Even pro-Israel Democrats are now using procedural tools…
- Keywords: democrats, israel, arms sale, gregory meeks, jeanne shaheen, gaza, benjamin netanyahu, weapons transfer, foreign policy, house foreign affairs committee, senate foreign relations committee, block
- Source: Mother Jones — https://motherjones.com/politics/2026/09/democrats-block-bombs-to-israel-shaheen-meeks-gaza
- Author: Sophie Hurwitz
- Published: 2026-09-19T13:58:52+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: democrats, israel, arms sale, gregory meeks, jeanne shaheen, gaza, benjamin netanyahu, weapons transfer, foreign policy, house foreign affairs committee, senate foreign relations committee
## Democrats block historic bomb sale
Top Democrats on House and Senate foreign affairs committees announced intent to block a $2.8 billion sale of 60,000 one-ton bombs to Israel, an unusual procedural move.
## Meeks cites war crimes concerns
Rep. Gregory Meeks, a longtime Israel supporter and ranking House member, invoked a committee hold, saying the Trump administration hasn't assured the weapons will comply with US law and civilian protections.

> I therefore will not clear this sale at this time.
## Shaheen withholds consent since July
Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been blocking the sale since July over concerns about use in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and Iran.
## President can still override holds
The bicameral opposition complicates but doesn't kill the sale, as the President retains power to override the procedural holds and approve the transfer.
## Democratic voters shift sharply
A Pew Research poll from April 2026 found 80 percent of Democratic voters hold an unfavorable view of Israel, up from 53 percent in 2022, reflecting major party realignment.
## Netanyahu faces US protests
Netanyahu is scheduled to speak at the UN in New York on September 23rd. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani says Netanyahu is not welcome in the city, though he lacks legal authority to arrest him.

> not welcome in New York City
## Key takeaway

Even pro-Israel Democrats are now using procedural tools to challenge US military aid to Israel, reflecting shifting party sentiment on the Gaza conflict.