A key House Democrat reviewed Israel's assurances on following international law in Gaza but still came away without giving his approval for Israel's purchase of F-15 fighter jets, Axios has learned.
Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) faces pressure from "at least a dozen" Democrats on his committee to exercise his power to effectively block the deal, according to a lawmaker familiar with the matter.
Meeks has said he's looking for "assurances" from Israel that it'll use U.S. weapons in accordance with international law and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Meeks' approval is required under the Arms Export Control Act, which allows the leaders of the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees to effectively place holds on U.S. weapons sales.
House Democrats have grown increasingly critical of the Israeli war effort in recent weeks and months, particularly after the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen staffers in an Israeli strike.
If approved, the F-15s would be delivered five years from now.
Rep.
Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), the second-most senior Democrat on Foreign Affairs after Meeks and a staunch Israel supporter, said he "can't imagine" Meeks would ultimately block the sale."Israel faces more security threats than just Hamas.
Hamas doesn't have an air force, but Iran sure does, and Iran is making noises today as if they'd like to send their air force against Israel," he said.
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