Imperialism and the Saudi-led assault on Yemen

[ckaihatsu]

Imperialism and the Saudi-led assault on Yemen

The national democratic Houthi uprising strengthens the camp of resistance in the Middle East

http://www.fightbacknews.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/article-lead-photo/yemen.jpg

By staff

Saudi Arabia's vicious assault on the people of Yemen continues nearly one year after its initiation - and there's no obvious end in sight. In March 2015, a Saudi-led military coalition largely made up of the other reactionary monarchies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) launched a military intervention in Yemen. Called Operation Decisive Storm, this intervention began as a response to the overthrow of Yemen's corrupt government by the popular Houthi insurgency.

To date, Operation Decisive Storm has left over 2800 Yemeni civilians - many of them children - dead, and displaced thousands. For all the carnage and brutality, though, Saudi Arabia's intervention comes from a place of weakness, not strength. And in the face of mass popular resistance and widespread international opposition, the operation has fared poorly for Saudi Arabia and its imperialist backers.

As monopoly capitalism plunges the world deeper into crisis, the U.S. and its partners like Saudi Arabia lash out in increasingly brutal ways to maintain control of the oil-rich region and these actions spark fierce resistance by the anti-imperialist forces in the Middle East. The Houthi uprising in Yemen is part of this camp of resistance and the Saudi-led military intervention speaks to the eroding rule of imperialism in the region.

Yemen's revolutionary history

Yemen has a vibrant history of resistance to foreign domination. Because of its strategic location in the Gulf of Aden, Yemen drew the attention of both the British and Ottoman empires, which colonized and divided it into a north and south territory in 1904. After the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire following World War I, Britain continued to exercise control over Yemen through corrupt rulers and sultanates – not unlike the U.S.'s relationship to the Gulf monarchies today. However, in 1962, nationalist forces in the northern Yemen, inspired and supported by Gamal Abdel Nasser's anti-colonial government in Egypt, overthrew the British and Saudi-backed monarchy and proclaimed the Yemen Arab Republic in its place.

This rebellion spread to southern Yemen in 1963, when communists and nationalists united to form the National Liberation Front of Yemen (NLF) and launched an armed struggle for liberation. Facing defeat, Britain granted independence to South Yemen in 1964 and withdrew from the country entirely two years later. The new NLF government immediately proclaimed itself the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY) in 1970, aligned with the Soviet Union and set itself the goal of building socialism.

For the next 20 years, Yemen remained divided – a capitalist north and a national democratic, leftist south – until the PDRY agreed to a unification proposal in 1990. For the vast majority of the Yemeni people, however, unification proved economically disastrous. Per capita income for Yemeni workers dropped 10% between 1989 and 1993. In the same period, prices for food and basic goods skyrocketed, unemployment reached 25% and nearly one in three Yemenis lived in poverty.

While the majority suffered extreme hardships from unification, the small class of wealthy in the north made dramatic gains in this period by privatizing the south's socialized industries, confiscating peasant land and stealing oil revenue from government coffers. This unified Yemeni government, led by Ali Abdullah Saleh, also aligned itself closely with the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, generating popular discontent and protest. After the outbreak of a brief civil war in the south by former PDRY elements, Saleh's government heavily repressed the Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP) to eliminate any challenge to its rule.

The Houthi insurgency and the national democratic revolution

Shortly thereafter, Saleh's government faced another challenge to its rule – this time from the north. The Houthi insurgency began in 2004 among the rural Shi'a populations living in northern Yemen, who make up about a third of the entire country. Yemen's Shi'a communities faced extreme poverty and persecution from Saleh since before reunification. Influenced by the liberation theology of Hassan Nasrallah of Hezbollah, the Houthis formed with the goal of driving out U.S. imperialism, Saudi domination and their puppet rulers.

Triggered in part by the wave of Arab uprisings in 2011, the Houthis joined with other popular forces in Yemen to drive Saleh out of power. Fearing the loss of Yemen as a neo-colony, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia installed another puppet, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, in his place. Hadi's government continued the corrupt economic policies of Saleh and abandoned the political reforms agreed to by opposition forces. Hadi, like Saleh, also allowed the U.S. free reign to conduct drone strikes throughout the country.

The crisis in Yemen reached a boiling point in 2014, when Houthi rebels stormed the presidential palace in Sanaa, the country's capital, and placed Hadi under house arrest. Having seized state power and having begun laying the ground for an inclusive democratic republic, the Houthi government immediately came under military siege by the Saudi-led GCC coalition.

The empire strikes back

On the whole, this intervention has not gone well for Saudi Arabia. It began as an aerial bombing campaign, but the Saudi-led coalition eventually committed ground troops to directly fight Houthi forces. The coalition has experienced high casualties and it has largely failed to unseat the Houthis from country's populated urban centers.

Furthermore, these attacks on Yemen have forged a large united front of unlikely partners. In May 2015, deposed President Saleh and a large section of Yemen's national military announced an alliance with the Houthi insurgency aimed at defeating the Saudi-led coalition. Although Saleh ruled Yemen as an ally of the U.S. before popular protests forced his resignation in 2012, he has come out in support of the national democratic forces resisting foreign intervention.

Saudi Arabia faces widespread international opposition to its campaign in Yemen, largely owing to the many documented atrocities committed by coalition forces. An as-of-yet-unpublished U.N. panel report from January found evidence of “widespread and systematic” targeting of civilians by coalition forces, including “bombing residential neighborhoods” and “treating the entire cities of Sa’dah and Maran as military targets.”

While not actively engaged in combat, the U.S. stands firmly behind this vicious war on Yemen. From their perspective, a Houthi-led national democratic government in Yemen would oppose U.S. drone strikes and counter Western aggression toward the camp of resistance. As Saudi Arabia's main supplier of weapons, warplanes and military equipment to the tune of several hundred billion dollars, U.S. imperialism literally makes the entire assault possible.

Crisis and resistance in the Arabian peninsula

U.S. imperialism is in a period of deep crisis, particularly in the Middle East. The occupation of Iraq ended in defeat for the U.S. and the occupation government it left to govern now leans towards Iran. Its attempts to destabilize the national democratic governments of Iran and Syria have failed. Popular democratic forces in countries like Bahrain and Yemen shook, and in some cases overthrew, long-standing puppet governments.

At the center of these victories are the anti-imperialist forces in the Middle East, which comprise a camp of resistance. Anchored by the Islamic Republic of Iran, the camp of resistance includes the Syrian Arab Republic, Hezbollah and the patriotic forces of Lebanon, the Palestinian liberation organizations and other allied national democratic movements in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia's attack on Yemen reflects its growing desperation and weakening ability to project influence in the region. Along with the U.S., Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council monarchies, Saudi Arabia invested heavily in toppling the Syrian government in order to strike a blow against Iran – its largest competitor for regional influence. The failure to overthrow Assad – due in part to intervention by Hezbollah, Iran and Russia – and its inability to control the anti-Assad opposition groups like Islamic State speak to the sharply declining influence of Saudi Arabia.

As an anachronistic religious monarchy built by imported migrant labor and the craven exploitation of natural resources, the House of Saud's wealth masks its vulnerability to crises in imperialism. Fearing an increase of U.S. domestic oil production, the Saudi monarchy flooded the world market with cheap oil, which further drove down falling energy prices. As a result, the country faces a widening deficit from the decline in oil revenues and eroding investor confidence by imperialist powers.

The Saudi monarchy increasingly reacts to this deepening crisis with brutal and disproportionate political repression. Opposition movements terrify the House of Saud, which promotes anti-Shi'a sectarianism to drum up support for aggression against Iran. This fear fuels increasingly drastic actions, like the execution of Shi'a cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, along with 46 other dissidents and prisoners, at the start of 2016.

Saudi Arabia exaggerates the level of Iranian support for the Houthi insurgency. Iranian officials have expressed solidarity with the Houthis as part of the camp of resistance. Reports indicate that they have provided weapons to the insurgents in response to the GCC's brutal onslaught. Facing the looming threat of U.S. and Israeli aggression, Iran has an obvious interest in seeing anti-imperialist movements like the Houthis come to power because it strengthens the camp of resistance.

However, the Houthi insurgency is not a proxy army of Iran like the Western media portrays. It's a popular movement with strong roots among the Yemeni people, who have had enough brutality inflicted on them by imperialist powers. And their stand in the face of unrelenting attacks deserves our support and solidarity.

Read more News and Views from the Peoples Struggle at http://www.fightbacknews.org. You can write to us at [email protected]

[Aslan]

Houthis are a shi'ite movement, while the Hadis are Sunni. So its pretty clear that both Iran and Saudi.A are trying their best to promote sectarian violence for their imperialist ambitions.

[o well this is ok I guess]

Praise of for the nasserist republic at the same time as promoting the guys from the territory that used to be that of the saudi-backed Badr loyalists, paired with the description of Hezbollah (who I've even cheerleaded before) as liberation theology
the term "national democratic" finds its lowest use here.

[PikSmeet]

If Yemen could be an imperialist power would it pass up the chance?

[ckaihatsu]

One Year of Killing in Yemen

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Chris –
Today marks one year since Saudi Arabia began what they said would be “short-term” military involvement in Yemen’s civil war. In the 365 days since, using American-made fighter jets, cluster bombs, and other munitions, more than 3,000 innocent Yemeni civilians have been killed, many of them in ways that may amount to war crimes. It is far past time for the United States to stand up and say “enough is enough” and repudiate Saudi aggression and killing in Yemen.

Tell Secretary of State John Kerry to press the Saudis to end the bombing in Yemen, sign a permanent peace agreement and provide a joint aid package to rebuild the country. (http://www.codepink.org/end_the_bombing_in_yemen?e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e3 41c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=316yemena&n=2)

U.S.-supplied F-15s and cluster bombs have been used extensively in the bombing campaign in Yemen, resulting in thousands of deaths of Yemeni civilians as well as significant damage to Yemen’s infrastructure and rich architectural history. The Saudi-led bombing raids have been conducted indiscriminately, killing journalists and destroying multiple buildings in a Doctors Without Borders facility.

The situation in Yemen in the wake of a year of relentless bombing has been described as a “humanitarian catastrophe” by the United Nations, with 21 million people in need of some kind of aid, 7.6 million people "severely food-insecure", and over 3.4 million children out of school. That the United States supplied the weapons that caused this devastation and still remains silent in the face of such horror is unconscionable.

A ceasefire has been announced that will go into effect April 10. The U.S. should support the ceasefire and use it as an opportunity to push for peace talks, then provide aid for rebuilding Yemen once peace has been achieved. Use our action page to tell John Kerry to press for an end to the bombing in Yemen and to provide humanitarian aid to rebuild the country. (http://www.codepink.org/end_the_bombing_in_yemen?e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e3 41c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=316yemena&n=3)

We cannot undo the damage that has been done in Yemen, but we can speak out to prevent any more damage from occurring and help repair what our weapons have wrought. Thank you for joining us in calling for peace and justice for the Yemeni people.

Sincerely,
Alice, Alli, Ariel, Chelsea, Janet, Jodie, Marwa, Medea, Michaela, Nancy, Rebecca, Sam and Tighe

PS: You don't want to miss this harrowing new segment about life inside of Saudi Arabia (http://www.codepink.org/r?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DdZ K_Jx8VQd0&e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=316yemena&n=4) made jointly by PBS and ITV -- watch it and share it with your friends!

Have your change make change! MyChange rounds up your credit and debit card purchases to the next dollar, and sends your spare change to CODEPINK! Click here to get started. (http://www.codepink.org/r?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mychange.com%2Forganizations %2F420-codepink&e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=316yemena&n=5)

Donate Now (http://www.codepink.org/donate_to_codepink?e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4ee dfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=316yemena&n=6)

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[ckaihatsu]

Congress MUST Protect Yemen!

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Chris —

For the last month, Bushra from the CODEPINK DC office has been collecting, editing and posting a series of videos of Yemenis talking candidly about the death and destruction in their homeland caused by the relentless bombing campaign led by Saudi Arabia. Called Voices from Yemen, the series is powerful and haunting. Will you take a few minutes to watch and share the videos? (http://www.codepink.org/r?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fplaylist%3Flis t%3DPLbIEXcAZ-4ZagoVbYxaeOc1j83OpSAEHv&e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20160916_saudi&n=2)

The voices of women and children mourning for their country in these videos deepens our resolve: We MUST push Congress to block the sale of further weapons to Saudi Arabia! (http://www.codepink.org/sjr39_action?e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20160916_saudi&n=3)

In the latest video, 10 year-old Yara Al-Mutawakel tells the story of how war broke out on the eve of a school concert she was excited to get to play. Her excitement about playing music with her schoolmates quickly turned to horror as she learned that people were dying in the streets as Saudi Arabia mercilessly bombed her country. At one point in the video she cries out, “I don’t want it to be my turn to die!”

It is reprehensible that the Obama administration has approved the sale of weapons that will continue to terrorize millions and cause more civilian deaths in Yemen. Prominent human rights organizations have stated that Saudi targeting of civilians in Yemen constitutes a war crime. Our one glimmer of hope that we might do the right thing as a nation by pushing Congress to block the sale of these weapons.

Even if you’ve contacted them before, please, take five minutes now to tell your Senators to support S.J. Res 39, the bill to block the sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia. (http://www.codepink.org/sjr39_action?e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20160916_saudi&n=4)

In solidarity with Yemen,

Alice, Alli, Ariel, Bushra, Chelsea, Janet, Jodie, Jules, Mariana, Martha, Max, Medea, Nancy, and Sam

P.S. We’ve been hearing from coalition partners that there are multiple Senators who are still undecided on this issue. Your message could be the push they need to support SJ Res 39! (http://www.codepink.org/sjr39_action?e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20160916_saudi&n=5)

Donate Now (http://www.codepink.org/donate_to_codepink?e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4ee dfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20160916_saudi&n=6)

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[ckaihatsu]

Tell Obama: End U.S. Support for Saudi Bombing Campaign in Yemen


Just Foreign Policy

Dear Chris,

Urge President Obama & Congress to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=4nDwwGBKJ3ngaZFLqgcWVWfTQl3%2FAEtb)

Following a bombing attack by Saudi-led forces on a funeral in Yemen, the White House announced an “immediate review” of U.S. support for the Saudi Arabia-led military campaign in Yemen. "U.S. security cooperation with Saudi Arabia is not a blank check," the White House statement said.

Urge President Obama & Congress to end U.S. support for the Saudi bombing campaign in Yemen by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=TXQrpiCJv6E3iO8DuV6emWfTQl3%2FAEtb).

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy said: "Saudi airstrikes, with support from the United States, have killed thousands of civilians in Yemen. ‎Yesterday's attack on large funeral party follows months of attacks on schools, homes, and hospitals…we are past the point of strongly worded statements. If the U.S. is serious when it says our support for Saudi Arabia isn't a blank check, then it's time to prove it -- because it's clear the Saudi-led coalition isn't listening. The administration should pull U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen because it's harming America's national security, enabling terrorist groups to thrive, and killing innocent civilians.”

Oxfam said: "This weekend’s attack on a funeral home in Sana’a was a gruesome act that served no purpose except to deepen Yemen’s misery. With more than 140 dead and more than 525 injured according to early reports, this was a massacre of civilians, apparently carried out by Saudi warplanes fueled and supported by the United States…. the US announced that it will immediately review its support to the Saudi-led coalition. This review ... should conclude immediately, with the withdrawal of all US support, including the sale of arms, to the parties. Any other choice signals ongoing indifference to the thousands of Yemenis killed by airstrikes and the millions on the verge of starvation thanks to a senseless, preventable conflict. The US must throw its full weight behind a political settlement, it cannot be a peace broker and an arms broker at the same time."

Urge President Obama & Congress to end U.S. support for the Saudi bombing campaign in Yemen by signing and sharing our petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=PKei6pCUyjSx%2FPpTGy%2B%2BZ2fTQl3%2FAEtb).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

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If you think our work is important, support us with a $15 donation.
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References:
. https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/10/08/statement-nsc-spokesperson-ned-price-yemen
2. https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-us-must-end-support-for-disastrous-saudi-bombing-campaign-in-yemen-
3. https://www.oxfamamerica.org/press/saudi-led-coalition-airstrike-on-a-funeral-in-sanaa-killed-and-injured-hundreds-of-people/

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[ckaihatsu]

Will criticism of Saudis morph into real pressure?


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Urge President Obama to stop supporting the Saudi war in Yemen.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=j2CIDKp94pbCrL8L00mi%2FbnO0fWxXeg9)

"Missile strike in Yemen: Will criticism of Saudis morph into real pressure?" That's a headline in the Christian Science Monitor today.

Urge President Obama to move from criticism to real pressure by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=hlqF5o4nmOgyyP6FnQqEMbnO0fWxXeg9).

A New York Times editorial today says:

"Airstrikes by a Saudi-led coalition that devastated a funeral in Yemen on Saturday make it clear that the United States must end its complicity in a civil war that has caused a humanitarian catastrophe in one of the world’s poorest countries and fueled extremism. It is within President Obama’s power to do so. Saudi Arabia and its Gulf state allies depend on Washington for aircraft, munitions, training and in-flight refueling."
The Intercept reports:

"Fragments of what appear to be U.S.-made bombs have been found at the scene of one of the most horrific civilian massacres of Saudi Arabia’s 18-month air campaign in Yemen."
Reuters reports:

"The Obama administration went ahead with a $1.3 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia last year despite warnings from some officials that the United States could be implicated in war crimes for supporting a Saudi-led air campaign in Yemen that has killed thousands of civilians, according to government documents and the accounts of current and former officials."
From WikiLeaks, we learn that in August 2014 Hillary Clinton reported matter-of-factly to John Podesta, based on U.S. intelligence reports, that the governments of Saudi Arabia and Qatar were "providing clandestine financial and logistic support to ISIL and other radical Sunni groups in the region."

Urge President Obama to move from criticism to real pressure by signing and sharing our petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=1p2QtAwLk%2FbkIYsfSuiTgbnO0fWxXeg9).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

Help support our work!
If you think our work is important, support us with a $15 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2016/1011/Missile-strike-in-Yemen-Will-criticism-of-Saudis-morph-into-real-pressure
2. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/11/opinion/americas-moral-duty-in-yemen.html
3. https://theintercept.com/2016/10/10/photos-show-fragments-of-u-s-bombs-at-site-of-yemen-funeral-masssacre/
4. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-saudi-yemen-idUSKCN12A0BQ
5. http://www.salon.com/2016/10/11/leaked-hillary-clinton-emails-show-u-s-allies-saudi-arabia-and-qatar-supported-isis/

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[ckaihatsu]

NYT: Acknowledge ongoing U.S. "military involvement" in Yemen's civil war

Just Foreign Policy

Dear Chris,

Urge the NYT to acknowledge that U.S. military involvement in Yemen's civil war is ongoing.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=NAnH2mPl5dt6CUde6KLP87sXsDNrVReG)

A recent New York Times report claimed (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=xBvhe%2B%2BRuYGcigW1Nv%2BFy7sXsDNrVReG) that U.S. cruise missile strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen "marked the first time the United States has become involved militarily in the civil war between the Houthis, an indigenous Shiite group with loose connections to Iran, and the Yemeni government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia and other Sunni nations."

Urge the NYT to acknowledge that U.S. military involvement in Yemen's civil war is ongoing by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Lru4QAyo6KbYQxc%2F5P%2F0fBfNES48DfAr).

The U.S. was already "involved militarily in the civil war" prior to the missile strike. Human Rights Watch notes (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=mqCCBCKbt0%2FoAlPI%2FEL917sXsDNrVReG): "The US became a party to the conflict during the first months of fighting by providing specific targeting information and refueling planes during bombing raids." HRW identified the munition used in a Saudi Arabia-led coalition airstrike on a funeral ceremony in Sanaa on October 8 as a US-manufactured air-dropped GBU-12 Paveway II 500-pound laser-guided bomb. HRW described the attack, which killed at least 100 people and wounded more than 500, including children, as "an apparent war crime."

Understanding that the U.S. was and remains "militarily involved" is crucial for understanding U.S. responsibility, for establishing context for the reported missile strike on the U.S. ship, and for understanding Congressional responsibility. Congress has never voted (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=eyygTn4rZFk1fcWMX9Y4ULsXsDNrVReG) to authorize a U.S. war against Houthi rebels in Yemen. If the U.S. is engaged in "hostilities" against Houthi rebels that have not been authorized by Congress, then Congress has an obligation under the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution to either pass an authorization for the use of force, or to vote on the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the conflict.

Urge the New York Times to correct the record concerning ongoing U.S. military involvement in Yemen's civil war by signing and sharing our petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=tdOOLgxWnXb1S3yBHqUbyLsXsDNrVReG).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

Help support our work!
If you think our work is important, support us with a $15 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/13/world/middleeast/yemen-rebels-missile-warship.html
2. https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/10/13/yemen-saudi-led-funeral-attack-apparent-war-crime
3. http://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2016/08/16/senator-chris-murphy-on-yemen-saudi-arabia-conflict-the-lead-jake-tapper-interview.cnn

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[ckaihatsu]

Saudi Arabia: Stop Endangering U.S. Troops!

Just Foreign Policy

Dear Chris,

Join the Obama Administration in demanding that Saudi Arabia agree to an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Yemen.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=N5t8%2BBS9MBzBpK9ikW4tuo0YLQlfxI00)

The Obama Administration is demanding (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=N5t8%2BBS9MBzBpK9ikW4tuo0YLQlfxI00) that Saudi Arabia agree to an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Yemen or risk losing future U.S. military aid.

The Washington Post reports that "Saudi airstrikes on Yemeni civilians may have put a target on the backs of U.S. troops."

Demand that Saudi Arabia agree to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Yemen and stop endangering U.S. troops by signing and sharing our petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=v5qf1n30DQzLSkVsVCdMpY0YLQlfxI00).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

Help support our work!
If you think our work is important, support us with a $15 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-support-to-saudi-arabia-to-hinge-on-yemen-cease-fire/2016/10/13/2082ac40-916a-11e6-9c85-ac42097b8cc0_story.html
2. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2016/10/12/saudi-airstrikes-on-yemeni-civilians-may-have-put-a-target-on-the-backs-of-u-s-troops/

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[ckaihatsu]

UN Announces Agreement on Yemen Ceasefire!

Just Foreign Policy

Dear Chris,

U.N. special envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed has announced (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ltufrTpUq4oFFPnue4mvZkquMeMrvO%2BD) [1] there is agreement for a 72-hour ceasefire in Yemen that will take effect shortly before midnight Wednesday, and that the ceasefire may be renewed, hopefully to be made permanent.

This is happening, in significant measure, because of Administration pressure on Saudi Arabia - the announcement came days after Administration officials threatened (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=AB0VcDWsc0qOr7kMNoKMwUquMeMrvO%2BD) [2] that future U.S. military aid to Saudi Arabia would be contingent on Saudi agreement to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Administration pressure is happening, in significant measure, because of Congressional pressure. And Congressional pressure is happening, in significant measure, because of public pressure on Congress. So, everyone who took action to urge Congress to put pressure on U.S. participation in the Saudi war in Yemen can take some share of the credit.

We're not done, obviously. We must remain vigilant to make sure that the ceasefire happens, that it is extended, that it is made permanent. If the ceasefire collapses, we must be ready to apply pressure to restore the ceasefire.

But: we're making progress. A ceasefire will save lives. It will allow the safe passage of humanitarian aid. It will help prepare conditions for a political and diplomatic resolution of the conflict. So, thank you for taking action.

And thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just.

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

Help support our work!
If you think our work is important, support us with a $15 donation.
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References:
1. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/17/yemen-president-agrees-ceasefire-foreign-minister-official-tweet
2. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-support-to-saudi-arabia-to-hinge-on-yemen-cease-fire/2016/10/13/2082ac40-916a-11e6-9c85-ac42097b8cc0_story.html

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General Flynn: Urge that we stop helping Saudi Arabia bomb Yemen


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Urge the incoming Administration to stop helping Saudi Arabia bomb Yemen.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Yo6YJzKSbXLUYSmBhdwXW0RFhJK3fyx6)

President-elect Trump and his advisers have expressed opposition to U.S. wars that don't contribute to the fight against ISIS and Al-Qaeda. Therefore, they should oppose continued U.S. participation in the Saudi bombing of Yemen, because that doesn't contribute to the fight against ISIS and Al-Qaeda. Whatever one may think of the Houthi rebels in Yemen that the U.S. has been helping Saudi Arabia bomb, they are not ISIS or Al-Qaeda; they hate ISIS and Al-Qaeda. In fact, the U.S.-backed Saudi war in Yemen has contributed to the growth of ISIS and Al-Qaeda in Yemen.

Urge incoming National Security Adviser General Michael Flynn to oppose continued U.S. participation in the Saudi bombing of Yemen by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=rx3yf%2FUS0yhK6zZb%2BgB8lVjLi4qnNj96).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

Help support our work!
If you think our work is important, support us with a $15 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

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hii

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Another Victory...

CODEPINK

http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/codepink/mailings/1341/attachments/original/SaudiNoWeaponsSm.jpg?1481763982

Dear Chris,

Did you hear the good news that the Obama administration just blocked a new sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia? (http://www.codepink.org/r?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2016%2F12%2F13% 2Fus%2Fpolitics%2Fsaudi-arabia-arms-sale-yemen-war.html&e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=saudiweapon1&n=2) Concerned over the high rate of civilian casualties caused by the Saudi bombings in Yemen, the White House stopped a Raytheon sale of 16,000 guided munition kits valued at $350 million. This a great step forward — thanks to all your calls and signing of our petitions. We must keep pushing. Tell Congress to stop ALL weapons sales! (http://www.codepink.org/saudi_action?e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=saudiweapon1&n=3)

Blocking these munition kits is good, but it’s not enough. Other weapons are still being sold to the Saudis. Just last week, the State Department announced plans to sell Chinook cargo helicopters and other equipment worth $3.51 billion! And the US military continues to refuel Saudi aircraft and provide intelligence information for the Yemen attacks. Moreover, a Trump administration might well restore all weapons sales.

That’s why we need Congress to step up. Congress has the right to stop any sales authorized by the State Department, but has refused to exercise its authority. Tell your reps that it’s shameful the US is participating in war crimes the Saudis are committing in Yemen. Tell them to stop all weapons sales to the Saudi regime. (http://www.codepink.org/saudi_action?e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=saudiweapon1&n=4)

In 2015 the Saudi government became involved with the internal conflict in neighboring Yemen because it was worried that a more pro-Iran faction — the Houthis — would take over the government. Since then, the Saudis have been pounding Yemen with U.S. bombs and logistical support. This 20-month-old war has killed over 10,000 people and sparked a severe humanitarian crisis, including acute food shortages, in the poorest country in the Middle East. UNICEF reports that Yemen’s child malnutrition is at an all-time high, with severe acute malnutrition sapping the lives of over 400,000 children. The tragedy is so profound that every ten minutes, a child in Yemen dies from malnutrition. To save the children, we must stop the war.

For the sake of the children,
Ariel, Farida, Jodie, Mariana, Mark, Medea, Nancy, Paki, Paula, and Samira

P.S. Join us on a unique trip to Honduras and Nicaragua on February 17-26 with the Alliance for Global Justice. We'll look at rural development, women's empowerment and opportunities for solidarity. Check here for more info and to sign up. (http://www.codepink.org/r?u=http%3A%2F%2Fafgj.org%2Fhonnica2017&e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=saudiweapon1&n=5)

Donate Now (http://www.codepink.org/donate_to_codepink?e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4ee dfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=saudiweapon1&n=6)

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[The Intransigent Faction]

Blocking these munition kits is good, but it’s not enough. Other weapons are still being sold to the Saudis. Just last week, the State Department announced plans to sell Chinook cargo helicopters and other equipment worth $3.51 billion!

Meanwhile...


Canada is showing no sign of similarly restricting or limiting exports such as the armoured vehicle sale. The federal government says the contract – 70 per cent of which Mr. Dion approved for export in April – is the largest advanced manufacturing export contract in Canada’s history. The machines are equipped with medium-gauge machine guns or cannons that can shoot anti-tank missiles.

[ckaihatsu]

Congress: Invoke War Powers on Saudi-Yemen Before Military Escalation on Iran


Just Foreign Policy

Dear Chris,

Urge your reps. to force debate & vote on Saudi-Yemen war before further escalation.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ggRFG2Yp19i3flJbDrgJiI77ETVyGvJV)

Two Saudi sailors have been killed (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=nGZFNTj8acM399UrRKbjWYAhsyhEBBw6) by Houthi rebels in Yemen in what Saudi Arabia has called a suicide boat attack and Houthi rebels have called a missile attack. Fox News reported (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=loligGJ0PLzfdN%2FuHY3zcIAhsyhEBBw6) that the Pentagon believes the attack was meant for a U.S. warship. Trump Administration national security adviser Michael Flynn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Wkb%2BoOXdgsi16nNBhc1vuoAhsyhEBBw6) blamed Iran and threatened unspecified retaliation against Iran.

Urge your reps. to force debate & vote on Saudi-Yemen war before further escalation by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=fK6AqSt4pUcFik2Z3FjgRYAhsyhEBBw6).

This dangerous situation was anticipated by Congress when it passed the signing and sharing our petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=G3rGSFJ9FlPdqIMFwjF2WYAhsyhEBBw6']War Powers Resolution[/url] during the Vietnam War. U.S. military forces are participating in the Saudi war in Yemen. There is a significant risk now that U.S. forces will be drawn deeper into military conflict against Houthi rebels and possibly even against Iran. Yet Congress has never authorized the use of force against Houthi forces in Yemen, nor against Iran. Under the War Powers Resolution, a single Member of Congress can force a debate and vote on the deployment of U.S. forces to a conflict that has not been authorized by Congress.

Urge your reps. to invoke war powers to force debate & vote on U.S. participation in the Saudi-Yemen war before U.S. military escalation by http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

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NYT: Don't Make Yemen's Houthi Rebels' Actions a "Casus Belli" With Iran


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Tell the NYT to stop characterizing Houthi rebels in Yemen as proxies for Iran.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=9IDcBLJBT9S453YjRr%2BobYMfZGyJ1A1H)

As Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy has warned (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=xROx7v8HbzsRtbCGndFXvH%2B2ge59rh3Y), National Security Advisor Michael Flynn promoted dangerous escalation when he suggested that attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on Saudi forces could lead to war between the United States and Iran. As Sen. Murphy noted, Iran does not command nor control Houthi rebels fighting against U.S.-backed Saudi forces in Yemen.

Unfortunately, the New York Times editorial board has supported Flynn's dangerous claim that Houthi rebels in Yemen are Iran's proxies. "Flynn was right," the NYT said (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=JbT2SXLHjRlfxYCqiYcL5n%2B2ge59rh3Y), "in highlighting Iran’s troubling behavior, including the recent attack on a Saudi Navy patrol boat by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen."

Urge the NYT to correct the record by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=c%2BVhSyXYk7p9Lm%2B8bAc1bn%2B2ge59rh3Y).

By characterizing the Houthi attack as "Iran's behavior," the NYT promoted the dangerous claim that Iran was responsible for the Houthis' action as if it were settled fact, while providing no evidence for the claim. By this standard of evidence, if the Houthis' intent were to attack a U.S. ship, as Fox News reported - or misreported (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=kqG%2Fi42Rkawo0kXZabQ4M3%2B2ge59rh3Y) - that the Pentagon believed, then it was Iran's intent to attack a U.S. ship. It's not wildly implausible that the Houthis might intend to attack a U.S. ship - it has happened before (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=A7%2FvUGOVfMPSrr5PUctacn%2B2ge59rh3Y), and unlike Iran, the U.S. is a direct participant (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=lUhdqKpct7jFnU73Y0sMmX%2B2ge59rh3Y) in Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen, even though U.S. participation in Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen has never been authorized by Congress (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=2g4dUu%2BvmUjX%2BRlJvv7DLX%2B2ge59rh3Y), contrary to the intent of the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=DVQrVtFE89fPhAWE76Jot3%2B2ge59rh3Y).

Urge the Times to correct the record and urge the Times and Members of Congress to refrain from characterizing Yemen's Houthis as Iran's proxies in the future by signing and sharing our petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=vtGcP%2BY6J3DbwtNzn6tJ2Cz%2FKJ5jp9ZB).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate


1. Sen. Chris Murphy, "A Reckless Slide Toward War With Iran," http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/5893ce89e4b02bbb1816b8d3
2. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/03/opinion/new-tensions-with-iran.html
3. https://theintercept.com/2017/02/02/press-secretary-sean-spicer-falsely-accuses-iran-of-attacking-u-s-navy-vessel-an-act-of-war/
4. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-usa-ship-idUSKCN12A082
5. http://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2016/08/16/senator-chris-murphy-on-yemen-saudi-arabia-conflict-the-lead-jake-tapper-interview.cnn; http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/21/politics/senate-arms-sale-saudi-arabia/
6. http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/warpower.asp

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'Obama's father was 87.5% Arab, 12.5% African negro.' (Matar, Women in Green, Jerusalem, June 2008) Apparently, the Kenyan government requires this distinction on identification documents. During this time, the vote for Obama was 99% in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. On the north-south axis, of interest is Karmon's Hezbollah America Latina: Strange Group or Real Threat?

[ckaihatsu]

TODAY: Help me press Durbin, Duckworth in Chicago on Saudi-Yemen war powers

Just Foreign Policy

Dear Chris,

President Trump has already "increased logistical support (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=VLmJJGYoYCQelVt3Th4hEtj8bgrQW0ev)" for the Saudi bombing of Houthis in Yemen. [1] Trump Administration officials are threatening to conduct drone strikes against the Houthis (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=iDzSbsun8yjnxstDe8U9Bdj8bgrQW0ev). [2] But Congress never authorized this war. Under the War Powers Resolution, a single Member of Congress could force a debate and vote on what Trump is doing. Unfortunately, we haven't got a single Member of Congress to agree to do this yet.

That’s why I'm going to visit the offices of Senator Durbin and Senator Duckworth in Chicago today. I'm going to deliver the Illinois signatures on this petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=UPOzXLrbAxTuyLgWBG%2BNINj8bgrQW0ev), urging Durbin and Duckworth to stand up on Saudi-Yemen war powers before Trump can further escalate the war.

Here's how you can help:

1. Call Durbin's Chicago office at 312-353-4952 and/or Duckworth's Chicago office at (312) 886-3506. When you reach a staffer or leave a message, you can say:

"I urge Senator Durbin and Senator Duckworth to invoke the War Powers Resolution to force Congressional debate on Trump's escalation of the Saudi war in Yemen."

When you've made your call(s), please report that here (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=7JM07luV59t6xaAX8vV%2FxNj8bgrQW0ev).

2. Sign and share our petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=iIUDF4sgd2ijdmQxoeQZfdj8bgrQW0ev) if you haven't already. If you already signed and shared, please share it again.

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-trump-idUSKBN15M1HP
2. "Yemen Is the First Battleground in Trump’s Confrontation With Iran: The administration has its sights set on checkmating Tehran’s ambitions across the region. Iran’s proxies in Yemen are in the crosshairs," Foreign Policy, February 3, http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/02/03/yemen-is-the-first-battleground-in-trumps-confrontation-with-iran/

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Urge "French Bernie Sanders" to Challenge Trump Plan to Push Yemen Into Famine


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Urge Mélenchon to challenge Trump's backing of the Saudi war in Yemen.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=fxi6RBt2iyYPH2g5D%2FMuctnSB%2BFN7avs)


Progressive French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon - the "French Bernie Sanders" - is now a "frontrunner" in the first round of the French presidential election. That is giving him an unprecedented platform in global media, which he has used, among other things, to challenge Trump's military attack on Syria. When he addressed tens of thousands of people in Toulouse Sunday, the crowd roared when Mélenchon slammed Trump over Trump's illegal attack on Syria. "No Frenchman can accept a global gendarme who decided all by himself the good and the bad," Mélenchon said. [1]

Urge Mélenchon to challenge Trump's support for Saudi Arabia's catastrophic war in Yemen by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=nLTl9Kj1fJpSWJsx1Dt%2BftnSB%2BFN7avs).

As a leader of what will soon be the only EU country with a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, Mélenchon has a unique ability to serve as a "check and balance" on Trump's global warmongering. It was France that led the global opposition to Bush's illegal 2003 invasion of Iraq. If Mélenchon can stand up to Trump on Syria, he can stand up to Trump on Saudi Arabia's catastrophic war in Yemen, which the Trump Administration wants to escalate. Trump Administration officials want to help Saudi Arabia and the UAE attack the Yemeni port of Hodeida, which the UN, aid groups, former US officials, and 55 Members of the House have warned would likely push Yemen into famine. [2]

Urge Mélenchon to challenge Trump's support for Saudi Arabia's catastrophic war in Yemen by signing and sharing our petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=U1%2FRjSxFlmtemBl4677Bj9nSB%2BFN7avs).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/16/world/europe/jean-luc-melenchon-france-presidential-election.html
2. https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/04/12/55-bipartisan-lawmakers-demand-trump-pump-brakes-military-action-yemen

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[ckaihatsu]

Join Sen. Todd Young: Call on Saudi Arabia Not to Attack Hodeida


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Urge Congress to join Sen. Young in calling on Saudi Arabia not to attack Hodeida.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=X2lwH%2FALBrnbX5sljx0AYiQoJ6zS%2B2yD)


Today, Indiana Senator Todd Young welcomed [1] Defense Secretary Mattis' call [2] for a political solution to the conflict in Yemen without delay.

Sen. Young called on Saudi Arabia to:

- refrain from bombing the port of Hodeida, through which a majority of food, fuel, and medical supplies enters Yemen - a military attack that closed the port would likely result in a famine within a few months;

- reform its inspection regime at Hodeida to eliminate unacceptable delays in the delivery of severely needed humanitarian supplies;

- facilitate the delivery of U.S.-funded World Food Program cranes to the port of Hodeida that would dramatically increase the port’s humanitarian aid capacity. [3]

Urge Members of Congress to join Senator Young's call on Saudi Arabia not to attack Hodeida by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=sto2AKqwL7xwVwBH%2FjR8qyQoJ6zS%2B2yD).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. https://twitter.com/SenToddYoung/status/854807390184669184
2. https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript-View/Article/1154616/media-availability-with-secretary-mattis-en-route-to-the-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia/
3. https://www.young.senate.gov/content/following-mattis-visit-young-calls-saudi-government-help-alleviate-humanitarian-crisis-yemen

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Sen. Young: Condition Saudi arms sales on civilian protection in Yemen


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Urge Sen. Young to co-sponsor SJRes.40.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=MBknMnSLzmWGxrhy0fWveJvExdU4sdbV)


Seeking to prevent famine in Yemen, Indiana Senator Todd Young has called on Saudi Arabia not to attack the key port of Hodeida, to reform its inspection regime at Hodeida to eliminate delays in the delivery of humanitarian supplies, and to facilitate the delivery of U.S.-funded World Food Program cranes to Hodeida that would dramatically increase the port’s humanitarian aid capacity. [1]

Senator Young, as a Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is in a unique position of influence.

Urge Senator Young to link his calls on Saudi Arabia to Trump's proposed arms sales to Saudi Arabia by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=JmhwBtyqqGEt42adPnKkauk1oxbllTyn).

The Trump Administration is reportedly seeking new commitments from Saudi Arabia to protect civilians as it weighs resuming sales of precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia. [2] Many doubt whether Saudi Arabia is capable of acting on such assurances, even if they were made in good faith. [3] Senators Murphy, Paul, Durbin, and Franken have introduced legislation [SJRes.40] that would put the onus on the Administration to certify that Saudi Arabia is protecting civilians before arms sales to Saudi Arabia could go through. [4] By co-sponsoring SJRes.40, Senator Young would strongly signal to the Administration that "required civilian protection" before arms sales can proceed includes "don't attack Hodeida and allow food aid to enter Hodeida to prevent famine."

Urge Senator Young to co-sponsor SJRes.40 by signing and sharing our petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=cMjC0MeU%2Bq6AJlFhuzdj%2BJvExdU4sdbV).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate


References:
1. https://www.young.senate.gov/content/following-mattis-visit-young-calls-saudi-government-help-alleviate-humanitarian-crisis-yemen
2. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-saudi-yemen-idUSKBN17M2ZK
3. https://www.justsecurity.org/40173/seeks-assurances-saudis-civilian-casualties-but-possible/
4. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/40

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Senate: Don't Imitate "Catch-22." Don't Arm People We're Bombing in Yemen


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Urge Senators to back SJRes 40 to address Saudi-Al Qaeda ties before selling Saudi more weapons.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=pha6BVoH%2FVd0vqaGRziAqQ%2FJ3gli5BhQ)


General Mattis wants to increase U.S. support for Saudi Arabia's catastrophic war in Yemen [1], which has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine, including by selling Saudi Arabia even more weapons. In addition to producing humanitarian catastrophe, Saudi Arabia's war is helping Al Qaeda in Yemen. Imitating war profiteer Milo Minderbender in Joseph Heller's Catch-22, who fights on both sides and bombs his own squadron to increase his profits, by selling arms to Saudi Arabia, we indirectly arm Al Qaeda in Yemen, who we're also bombing.

Urge the Senate to address Saudi-Al Qaeda ties before selling more weapons by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Hro8rmaeVuF7EvLTud1hmwlhQVq1DBsK).

"In their fight against Yemen’s Houthi rebels," Just Security reports, "the government of Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, and its Saudi backers, have worked with local actors with suspected ties to al-Qaeda. Sometimes this means the targets being tracked by the US are actually cutting deals and getting their hands on weapons thanks to connections they have with the Hadi government and the Saudi-led coalition, to which the US provides support. Laying bare these thorny battlefield alliances in Yemen is crucial as the Trump administration considers stepping up US military involvement in the country." [2]

Senators Murphy, Paul, Durbin and Franken have introduced legislation - SJR 40 -that would require the Administration to certify that Saudi Arabia is fighting Al Qaeda in Yemen - not helping Al Qaeda in Yemen - before the U.S. could sell Saudi Arabia even more weapons. [3]

Urge Senators to co-sponsor SJR 40 by signing and sharing our petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=FjEdVPkIw2y1foypIs4ySglhQVq1DBsK).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate


References:
1. http://thehill.com/policy/defense/330030-trump-admin-weighs-stepping-up-support-for-yemen-fight
2. https://www.justsecurity.org/40200/yemens-complex-battlefield-includes-al-qaeda-links-allies/
3. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/40

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House: Force a Vote Before "Mad Dog" Mattis Pushes Yemen Into Famine


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Urge House Members to force a vote before Mattis attacks Hodeida.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=t50a5eC9xROyq64bQWlejjQYvLIsnwd%2B)


The "Saudi-led coalition" has dropped leaflets on the Yemeni port of Hodeida warning residents of an impending offensive. [1] An assault on Hodeida, the Washington Post warns, could be the trigger for famine in Yemen. [2] But General Mattis continues to push for approval of direct U.S. participation in the threatened assault [3], with Pentagon officials claiming that political compromise will be more likely after "one more round of bombing."[4]

Urge House Members to force a vote before Mattis attacks Hodeida by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=KBAoSWepd6BM%2Btwq5jL04TQYvLIsnwd%2B).

"Right now the Saudi-led coalition is obstructing vital supplies arriving at Yemen’s main port of Hodeida," Save the Children says. “On three occasions this year the coalition has held up our shipments of life-saving medical aid – including antibiotics, surgical equipment, medicine to treat diseases like malaria and cholera, and supplies to keep malnourished children alive." Save the Children says aid must be able to reach children quickly, or international pledges of aid to prevent famine will mean nothing. [5]

55 Members of the House have affirmed that Mattis' proposed attack on Hodeida would be illegal without prior Congressional authorization. California Rep. Ted Lieu said, "President Trump does not have the authority to send U.S. forces to battle the Houthis in Yemen, period." [6] Members of the House can force a vote to prevent Mattis from attacking Hodeida without Congressional authorization by invoking the War Powers Resolution.

Urge House Members to force a vote before Mad Dog Mattis attacks Hodeida by signing and sharing our petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=vgVHUJ%2BwFOZp7v7z0Npi%2BjQYvLIsnwd%2B).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/yemen/coalition-drops-leaflets-on-hodeida-promising-liberation-1.2017703
2. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/04/25/a-child-in-yemen-dies-every-10-minutes-as-humanitarian-aid-falls-short-by-85-u-n-says/
3. https://www.buzzfeed.com/johnhudson/pentagon-clashes-with-civilian-aid-workers-over-planned
4. http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/international/329792-us-pressure-on-saudis-can-help-promote-peace-in-yemen
5. https://www.savethechildren.net/article/yemen-save-children-statement-un-pledging-conference
6. http://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-effort-55-us-representatives-call-on-trump-to-come-to

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Join 9 Senators to Tell Saudi Arabia: "Hodeida Must Be Spared"!


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Urge your reps. to join 9 Senators telling Saudi Arabia "Hodeida must be spared!"

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=zdb86Gb09wJGuPHxeQpEkTj6%2BdpnTNap)


On Thursday April 27, a bipartisan group of nine U.S. Senators wrote to the ambassador of Saudi Arabia demanding that Saudi Arabia spare the Yemeni port city of Hodeida from military assault to avoid pushing Yemen into famine. The nine Senators were: Todd Young (R-IN), Chris Murphy (D-CT), John Boozman (R-AR), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Christopher Coons (D-DL) and Ed Markey (D-MA).

Urge your representatives to stand with the nine Senators demanding that "Hodeida must be spared" by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=u2zEAgtTh2WuyJO0HlKqXDj6%2BdpnTNap).

The nine Senators made five demands to help “Prevent Millions of Innocent Yemenis From Starving to Death":

- Lend full support to Secretary Mattis’ call for a political settlement in Yemen.
- Refrain from bombing the port of Hodeida and call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire around the port.
- Reform the inspection regime at the port of Hodeida to eliminate unnecessary delays in the delivery of severely needed humanitarian and commercial supplies.
- Facilitate the delivery of cranes to the port of Hodeida to increase humanitarian aid and commercial capacity.
- Redouble efforts to ensure airstrikes do not hit key economic facilities and civilian infrastructure. [1]

Urge your representatives to join the nine Senators in telling Saudi Arabia "Hodeida must be spared" by signing and sharing our petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=tSqQhlnLgtG2ARMc%2B1gnpjj6%2BdpnTNap).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. https://www.young.senate.gov/content/young-leads-bipartisan-group-senators-calling-saudi-arabia-take-specific-steps-address

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Did the Saudis just blink on attacking Hodeida?


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Press your reps. to join 9 Senators telling Saudi Arabia "Hodeida must be spared!"

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=YNX9jyQSLv1q%2FY4upSYUiOdcFIud216o)


On Thursday, nine Senators wrote the Saudi ambassador, pressing Saudi Arabia not to attack the Yemeni port of Hodeida, which aid groups say would almost certainly push Yemen into famine. [1] The next day, Laura Rozen reported in Al-Monitor: "In shift, Saudis seek political solution for Yemen port." [2]

Pressure is working. But Hodeida is still under threat, and this coming weekend is particularly dangerous. On Thursday the House goes out of session for a week. What did US military escalations and threatened military escalations Libya 2011, Syria 2013, Iraq 2014, and Syria 2014 all have in common? They all happened when the House was in recess.

We must double down our pressure on Congress this week until the threat of attacking Hodeida is definitively "taken off the table."

Sign and share our petition now (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=zdzXq8Iahzz5wI5qV6KAiedcFIud216o) pressing Members of Congress to stand with the nine Senators against attacking Hodeida.

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lawmakers-saudi-ambassador-yemen-famine_us_5903a740e4b05c39767f88c2
2. http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/04/saudi-arabia-shift-political-solution-yemen-port.html

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Why would we sell arms to human rights abusers?


CREDO action


Tell Congress: Don’t let Rex Tillerson sell lethal weapons to human rights abusers (https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no_arms_sales?t=1&akid=22851.247355.OYMV2N)

The petition to Congress reads:

"The United States should not sell fighter jets, missiles or other military equipment to countries engaged in known human rights abuses. Block Rex Tillerson’s arms sale to Bahrain and pass legislation to prohibit arms sales to countries with a record of abusing human rights moving forward."

Add your name:

Sign the petition ► (https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no_arms_sales?t=2&akid=22851.247355.OYMV2N)


Dear Chris,

https://d2omw6a1nm6pnh.cloudfront.net/images/stop-arms-sales-to-rights-abusers-180.jpg (https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no_arms_sales?t=3&akid=22851.247355.OYMV2N)

The United States is responsible for the production and sale of more deadly weapons and military tools than any other country in the world.1

During the Obama administration, there were limits to which countries the United States would arm. Now, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is taking those fragile buffers away. Last month he lifted all human rights preconditions on a major sale of fighter jets and other lethal weapons to Bahrain.2 By removing these preconditions, he is sending a clear message to Bahrain and every other country: As long as foreign governments give the United States money, the Trump administration will turn a blind eye to those governments’ acts of torture, genocide or oppression, or any blatant human rights abuses and supply them with weapons of war.

Congress has the power to stop this. Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act says that Congress has the power and authority to pass legislation to block or modify an arms sale at any time up until the weapons are delivered into foreign hands.3 It can block the sale that Tillerson is trying to broker right now with Bahrain and pass laws that condition our future arms sales so that we never sell weapons to human rights abusers again. We have to put pressure on our legislature to make sure they take action.4

Tell Congress: Don’t let Tillerson sell weapons to human rights abusers. Block the arms sale to Bahrain and pass a law to make sure this never happens again. Click here to sign the petition. (https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no_arms_sales?t=4&akid=22851.247355.OYMV2N)

Amnesty International has described the human rights situation in Bahrain as being “on the brink of crisis.”5 The government has not allowed representatives from human rights watchdog groups to access the country, but even without direct access groups like Amnesty and Human Rights Watch have reported on the police and court investigators torturing detained people,6 Bahranians being stripped of their citizenship and nationality,7 and travel bans being placed on citizens who are critical of authorities human rights abuses.8

Human rights groups and activists have long criticized U.S. arms sales to other countries with known human rights abuses, including outcry that helped block a sale of precision missiles to Saudi Arabia last winter in an attempt to address the horrific Yemeni casualties coming out of the conflict between the two countries.9 Saudi Arabia remains one of the most frequent customers of American weaponry, and Tillerson has indicated that he will be moving ahead with selling them missiles.10

These decisions are a reflection of what we have known about Tillerson from the beginning. He is a billionaire who cares more about lining his pockets than about protecting people or the planet. Tillerson’s confirmation hearing was awash with red flags concerning his willingness to turn a blind eye to human rights abuses. He refused to call Vladimir Putin a war criminal for his involvement in Aleppo,11 denied that Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte is a human rights violator,12 and dismissed the unequal and oppressive treatment of many women in Saudi Arabia.13

It is up to Congress to rein him in and make sure that we stop giving human rights abusers the tools they need to kill.

Tell Congress: Don’t let Tillerson make arms sales to human rights abusers. Block this sale to Bahrain and pass a law to make sure this never happens again. Click the link below to sign the petition:

https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no_arms_sales?t=6&akid=22851.247355.OYMV2N

Thank you for standing up for peace,

Tessa Levine, Campaign Manager
CREDO Action from Working Assets (http://act.credoaction.com/go/109?t=7&akid=22851.247355.OYMV2N)

Add your name:

Sign the petition ► (https://act.credoaction.com/sign/no_arms_sales?t=8&akid=22851.247355.OYMV2N)


References:
1. Andrew Soergel, “America's Arms Exports Dominate Despite Global Competition,” U.S. News & World Report, Dec. 27, 2016.
2. Felicia Schwartz and Doug Cameron, “Tillerson Dropping Human Rights Conditions on Sale of F-16s to Bahrain,” The Wall Street Journal, March 30, 2017.
3. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, “Arms Sales: Congressional Review Process,” accessed April 27, 2017.
4. Human Rights First, “Congress Urged to Check Administration's Actions, Block Sale of F-16s to Bahrain,” March 30, 2017.
5. Amnesty International, “Bahrain: Human rights on the brink of crisis,” Jan. 18, 2017.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
9. Helene Cooper, “U.S. Blocks Arms Sale to Saudi Arabia Amid Concerns Over Yemen War,” The New York Times, Dec. 13, 2016.
10. David E. Sanger and Eric Schmitt, “Rex Tillerson to Lift Human Rights Conditions on Arms Sale to Bahrain,” The New York Times, March 29, 2017.
11. David Bixenspan, “Rex Tillerson Refuses to Call Vladimir Putin a ‘War Criminal’ During Hearing,” Mediaite, Jan. 11, 2017.
12. Jessica Taylor, “5 Top Moments From Rex Tillerson's Hearing To Be Secretary Of State,” NPR, Jan. 11, 2017.
13. Ibid.

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WaPo: Alarm grows in DC as Saudi attack on Yemen port appears imminent


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Share the Washington Post article about Pocan's warhing to Mattis.

Read and Share (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=WZzCFbxTLksSQaZQTv08mTHBFOGccP19)

Today, the Washington Post reported: "Alarm grows in Washington as Saudi coalition attack on Yemen port appears imminent." The article reported on a bipartisan letter [1] to Defense Secretary Mattis led by Reps. Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Justin Amash (R-MI.)

Can you help us raise the alarm by spreading the Washington Post article (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2Frz9zediMA1PEpcJaJmZSDHBFOGccP19)? Share it on Facebook, share it on Twitter, share it on email, share it however you share things.

Here are some key passages of the article - key to our efforts to push Members of Congress to invoke war powers to stop Trump from escalating in Yemen:

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers urged Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Tuesday to reconsider his support for a seemingly imminent assault by a Saudi-led coalition on the crucial Yemeni port city of Hodeida.

“In the face of Yemen’s senseless humanitarian tragedy, where 19 million people need emergency support, we are committed to using our Constitutional authority to assert greater oversight over U.S. involvement in the conflict and promote greater public debate regarding U.S. military participation in Yemen’s civil war, which has never been authorized by Congress,” the legislators said in a letter.

The letter comes on the heels of another, [2] signed by 55 legislators, to President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions insisting that any direct U.S. involvement in Yemen be brought before Congress for authorization. In a trip to Saudi Arabia in April, Mattis hinted at direct U.S. military and intelligence support for the Saudi-led coalition, which is seeking to dislodge Shiite Houthi rebels from Sanaa and other areas they control in Yemen.
[...]
Tuesday's letter, drafted by Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) and Justin Amash (R-Mi.), asserts that any direct U.S. support for an offensive on the Houthis must be authorized by Congress. The letter also threatens legislation that would seek to “prohibit U.S. involvement in any such assault" should Mattis fail to brief Congress on the nature of U.S. support for the coalition.

Please share the Washington Post article now (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=AC4zudHR8nQTTpDhiHwYFTHBFOGccP19).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/node/1745
2. http://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-effort-55-us-representatives-call-on-trump-to-come-to

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NPR: Yemen Faces "Biblical Famine"


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Spread NPR's warning: Yemen faces a "biblical famine."

Listen and Share (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=qGT2CeasP3gh6pDb5JF9R0Zi8dTIpY1C)


This morning, NPR aired an interview with Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, recorded just hours after he returned from a trip to Yemen. Egeland warned that Yemen faces a "biblical famine" if the U.S. and other powers don't stop supporting the violence that's destroying Yemen.

Help spread Jan Egeland's warning by listening to and sharing (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=eQ1QSloWoHkBMO0O1Vl%2BJ0Zi8dTIpY1C) the 4 minute NPR story.

Here are four key things Jan Egeland said:

- Millions of lives are at risk because of war, because of food shortages and limited medical care

- Famine in Yemen is totally preventable

- Aid cannot meet the needs unless the conflict ends and there is an end to restrictions on imports into Yemen

- The war can end with diplomatic pressure


Help spread Jan Egeland's warning by listening to and sharing (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=kQ6m7JKrHLyOmkzvWwMSkkZi8dTIpY1C) the 4 minute NPR story.

And if you haven't signed our petition to Congress urging that the crucial Yemeni port of Hodeida be protected from military assault, you can do that here (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=EdO%2FTU4ubndQFHYJdWDme0Zi8dTIpY1C).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

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CNN video: "If Hodeida is attacked, millions will surely not have food"


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Watch and share the CNN video.

Watch and Share (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=NGxFbPPVh8ZgVGgpJqqacRSpaXy0%2BCHF)


CNN conducted a powerful 8 minute interview with Jan Egeland of the Norwegian Refugee Council on the imminent threat of famine in Yemen. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has said the U.S. should support Saudi Arabia's planned attack on Yemen’s Hodeida port. Here’s what Jan Egeland said about that plan:

"There is one port here called Hodeida where we get all of the relief through and where most of the commercial import has come through. That port is now threatened by attack. If it is attacked, that lifeline will be cut and millions will surely not have food."


Egeland concluded: "We need world leaders to put an end to both the war and the economic collapse here."

Help spread Jan Egeland's warning by watching and sharing the 8 minute video (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=B4sAStFZf4ig58NBISuC%2FhSpaXy0%2BCHF).

And if you haven't signed our petition to Congress against attacking Hodeida yet, you can do that here (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=9hElx823awCkc0dcPmabFhSpaXy0%2BCHF).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate
Please support our work. Donate for a Just Foreign Policy

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Tell Ivanka: Watch the Yemen Video, Press Dad to Spare Hodeida


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Press Ivanka to watch the video about saving Yemen from famine.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=oiRBB8mhkPOS1qDHTvQ7KkmVrHXdco1L)


Foreign Policy magazine reports: "Ivanka Trump Wants to Highlight the Humanitarian Crises Her Father Ignores." [1] But so far Ivanka hasn't highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. By speaking out on Yemen, Ivanka could single-handedly save millions of Yemenis from famine, because the main cause pushing Yemen towards famine is the Saudi war and blockade that the U.S. is backing. Aid groups, the UN, former U.S. officials and 55 House Members have warned that if the U.S. helps Saudi Arabia attack the Yemeni port of Hodeida, that will almost certainly push Yemen into famine. [2]

Urge Ivanka to speak up for children in Yemen by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=CwKQIHDOHK5jWhmiMnwgnUmVrHXdco1L).

An 8 minute CNN interview with Jan Egeland of the Norwegian Refugee Council has the information Ivanka needs to convince Dad to spare Hodeida. Egeland told CNN: "There is one port here called Hodeida where we get all of the relief through and where most of the commercial import has come through. That port is now threatened by attack. If it is attacked, that lifeline will be cut and millions will surely not have food." [3]

Urge Ivanka to watch the CNN video and press Dad to spare Hodeida by signing and sharing our petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=4QuEkhdW5%2FBUB0pT3BPr1EmVrHXdco1L).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/05/04/ivanka-trump-wants-to-tackle-the-humanitarian-crises-her-father-ignores/
2. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/05/02/alarm-grows-in-washington-as-saudi-coalition-attack-on-yemen-port-appears-imminent/
3. http://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2017/05/02/intv-amanpour-clarissa-jan-egeland-yemen.cnn/video/playlists/amanpour/

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Tammy Duckworth: Stop Saudi Arabia from Pushing Yemen into Famine


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Urge Sen. Duckworth to cosponsor SJRes40 to restrict Saudi arms deals.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=w1VVNwHOgBERyuz4eprlR5SikWDTVif1)


Yemen is on the brink of famine, with millions of people at risk of starvation, because of Saudi Arabia's war and blockade that has been backed by the United States. Now the Trump Administration wants to send Saudi Arabia even more weapons, which would be perceived as a U.S. seal of approval on the continuation of Saudi Arabia's catastrophic war. [1]

Senators Murphy, Paul, Durbin, and Franken have introduced SJRes40 [2], co-sponsored by Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Jeff Merkley [3], which would restrict arms deals with Saudi Arabia on human rights grounds. Last September, even Republican Senator Mark Kirk voted with Senator Durbin against sending more weapons to Saudi Arabia. [4]

Urge Senator Duckworth to co-sponsor SJRes40 by signing our petition at MoveOn. (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=0ALSDrRQRvBqx%2BGzAN0ABJSikWDTVif1)

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. https://www.thenation.com/article/congress-is-drawing-a-red-line-over-trumps-support-for-the-saudi-war-on-yemen/
2. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/40
3. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/40/cosponsors
4. https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=114&session=2&vote=00145

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Nation: Congress Draws 'Red Line' Over Trump Support for Saudi War on Yemen


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,


Urge your Rep. to force a vote before Hodeida is attacked.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=wPvRD%2FHcX3TzCxrrVk6nmM7770fh1PQL)


Our efforts to get Members of Congress to invoke their war powers to push back against Trump's threatened escalation of the Saudi war in Yemen - and particularly against the threat of attacking the Yemeni port of Hodeida, which would cut off food to millions of people - are drawing increasing attention in the media.

On May 2, the Washington Post reported: "Alarm grows in Washington as Saudi coalition attack on Yemen port appears imminent." The article noted that Reps. Mark Pocan [D-WI] and Justin Amash [R-MI] had threatened to introduce legislation that would seek to "prohibit U.S. involvement in any such assault." [1]

In the last two days, two articles have appeared in The Nation strongly reinforcing our case that Members of Congress can stop this catastrophic assault by asserting their war powers.

Yesterday, James Carden reported: "Congress Is Drawing a ‘Red Line’ Over Trump’s Support for the Saudi War on Yemen." Rep. Pocan told Carden:

"In moments like this, it’s essential that Congress assert its constitutional authority to oversee, debate, and declare war before the US becomes involved in a catastrophic military action overseas." Citing the horrific nature of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, Pocan said he could "hardly think of anything worse than the US military participating alongside the Saudi military in destroying the lifeline to food for 7 million people already on the brink of starvation."

Carden also reported: several staffers are in the process of "preparing language with legislative counsel to use the War Powers Act of 1973 in order to introduce a privileged resolution to withdraw US forces from the Saudi-led war in Yemen, with Hodeida as a Congressional 'red line.'" [2]

Today, John Nichols reported: "There Is Growing Bipartisan Opposition to Trump’s Unauthorized Military Actions." Nichols noted: "Not all Republicans are willing to accept the Trump’s administration’s shredding of the Constitution… Congressman Justin Amash, R-Michigan, has joined Congressman Mark Pocan, D-Wisconsin, in leading a congressional effort to warn the administration that it must consult Congress before lending US support to what members describe as 'a potentially catastrophic' military action by Saudi Arabia in Yemen."

Nichols also reported the Members' threat: “Should the administration remain unresponsive to our repeated inquiries into the nature of US engagement in a potentially catastrophic Saudi attack on Hodeida, we will pursue legislation to explicitly prohibit US involvement in any such an assault.” [3]

A month ago, many thought it a foregone conclusion that the Trump Administration would green-light a Saudi-UAE attack on the Yemeni port of Hodeida. But that assault still hasn't happened. Members of Congress can take this threatened attack "off the table" by asserting their war powers. Urge House Members to force a vote before Hodeida is attacked by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=AJwf3v%2BjzoMLn0ywisK1Ac7770fh1PQL).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/05/02/alarm-grows-in-washington-as-saudi-coalition-attack-on-yemen-port-appears-imminent/
2. https://www.thenation.com/article/congress-is-drawing-a-red-line-over-trumps-support-for-the-saudi-war-on-yemen/
3. https://www.thenation.com/article/there-is-bipartisan-opposition-in-congress-to-trumps-unauthorized-military-action/

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News Updates from CLG
09 May 2017
http://www.legitgov.org/
All links are here:
http://www.legitgov.org/#breaking_news


Blasphemy and terrorism: Catchall phrases to repress dissent (http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1705/S00024/blasphemy-and-terrorism-catchall-phrases-to-repress-dissent.htm) | 05 May 2017 | Blasphemy has joined terrorism as a catchall phrase to intimidate, incarcerate and kill critics and political opponents as well as stifle unfettered debate and settle scores. There is, however, one difference: terrorism is a justification for curbing freedom of expression often used by governments irrespective of how democratic or undemocratic they may be. Blasphemy serves not only as a tool for governments, but has also empowered religious ultra-conservatives, frenzied mobs, and extremist groups and individuals...Saudi Arabia and other Muslim nations have been lobbying in recent years for the criminalisation of blasphemy in international law, in a move that would legitimise curbs on free speech and growing Muslim intolerance towards any open discussion of their faith. The kingdom’s ability to further its efforts was enhanced last November when it was elected as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

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Congress: Stop UAE Arms Deal If UAE Refuses Ceasefire To Stop Yemen Famine


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Urge Congress to block UAE arms deal until UAE agrees to Hodeida ceasefire.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ym7JEYX80cwTQ9UuYVmk0zPREj5sO1Sm)


The Trump Administration has notified Congress of a $2 billion arms deal with the United Arab Emirates. [1] Congress has thirty days to block the deal. This proposed arms deal gives Congress a unique opportunity to pressure the UAE over its participation in the catastrophic Saudi-led war in Yemen. This week it is particularly important to create public friction ahead of Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia. [2]

The UAE has been a key participant in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, which has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine. [3] Indeed, the Washington Post has referred to the threatened attack by the Saudi-led coalition on the crucial Yemeni port of Hodeida as a "planned Emirati offensive." [4] The UN Special Envoy to Yemen has stated, "We are definitely, unequivocally against any military operation" at Hodeida, warning that such an operation would likely push Yemen into full-blown famine by cutting off the supply of food to northern Yemen through Hodeida. [5]

If Congress approves the UAE arms deal without insisting that the UAE agree to a ceasefire at Hodeida to protect Yemen from famine, Congress could be signing the death warrants of millions of Yemenis who are in imminent danger of dying from starvation and hunger-related illness due to the Saudi-led war and blockade on Yemen.

Urge Congress to support a resolution of disapproval against the UAE arms deal until the UAE agrees to a famine-averting ceasefire at Hodeida by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=m1JVoyr1DGpZiGe5iweGmzPREj5sO1Sm).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/11/politics/us-2-billion-arms-sale-uae/
2. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/12/us-saudi-arabia-arms-deal-donald-trump-visit
3. http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-approves-2bn-missile-sale-uae-842404197
4. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-administration-weighs-deeper-involvement-in-yemen-war/2017/03/26/b81eecd8-0e49-11e7-9d5a-a83e627dc120_story.html
5. http://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-group-of-16-lawmakers-threaten-to-block-us-military

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http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2017/05/16/yeme-m16.html


Yemenis dying of cholera as Trump meets with UAE ruler

By Bill Van Auken

16 May 2017

Health authorities in the Yemeni capital of Sana’a have declared a state of emergency as a rapidly spreading cholera epidemic has claimed the lives of over 180 people in the span of little more than two weeks. Abdullahkim al-Kuhlani, a spokesman for the health ministry, reported that there have been 11,034 suspected cholera cases reported across several Yemeni provinces.

The disease is rarely seen and easily treatable in populations with ready access to food and clean water. It has the potential to wreak a catastrophic death toll, particularly among children in Yemen. The country’s basic infrastructure, including water, sanitation and health care systems, has been laid waste by a US-backed bombing campaign that has been waged by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for over two years.

An estimated 12,000 civilians have been killed with tens of thousands more wounded and millions displaced in this war, which is being fought by the wealthy Arab Gulf oil sheikdoms against the poorest nation in the Arab world.

Saudi Arabia and its fellow reactionary Sunni monarchies intervened in a bid to restore the US- and Saudi-backed regime of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, who was installed in a one-candidate election in 2012 and then overthrown three years later by Shiite Houthi rebels allied with military forces loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The systematic targeting of health care facilities has left barely 45 percent of the country’s hospitals still functioning, while the blockade imposed upon the country, with the aid of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, has cut the supply of essential medicines by more than 70 percent.

Two thirds of the population have no access to safe drinking water, while the cutoff of food imports has placed 17 million Yemenis at imminent risk of famine, while leaving three million malnourished Yemeni children in “grave peril” of death, according to the United Nations. Under these conditions, cholera can spread like wildfire.

In the clearest signal yet that Washington is preparing to substantially escalate the US support for this criminal war—initiated under the Democratic administration of Barack Obama—the Trump White House has organized back-to-back meetings and massive arms deals with the crowned rulers of the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

On Monday, Trump welcomed to the White House Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi and the de facto ruler of the UAE. Trump appeared with the royal dictator in the Oval Office, calling Sheikh Mohamed a “very special, very special person, highly respected.” He said that the sheikh “loves his country. And I think loves the United States, which to us is very important.” Sheikh Mohamed, whose regime systematically suppresses all political opposition, subjecting its opponents to forced disappearances and routine torture, remained mum.

On the eve of the UAE ruler’s visit, the US State Department gave its approval for a $2 billion deal under which Lockheed Martin and Raytheon will provide the oil sheikdom with Patriot missile systems.

Trump’s meeting with Sheikh Mohamed is to be followed at the end of this week by his first overseas trip since taking office. The first stop is Saudi Arabia. As with the UAE, Trump’s meeting with the dictatorial Wahhabi monarchy in Riyadh is being accompanied by another massive US arms deal.

A senior White House official told the Reuters news agency last Friday that Washington is close to completing $100 billion worth of new arms sales, including advanced missile systems, fighter jets and other heavy weapons. The official added that over the next decade, the sales could amount to $300 billion.

The weapons sales represent only a slight departure from the policies pursued under the Obama administration, which oversaw the sale of over $115 billion worth of weapons and military services to the Saudi monarchy. At the same time, it established a “Joint Planning Cell” in Saudi Arabia through which the Pentagon coordinated US military and intelligence support for the Saudi war against Yemen. US planes also provided mid-air refueling of Saudi fighter jets to enable the murderous bombing to continue around the clock.

While the Obama administration provided the bombs and missiles and other aid needed to murder thousands of Yemenis as part of a policy aimed at assuaging Saudi Arabia’s anger over the 2015 nuclear deal reached between Tehran and the US and other major powers, the Trump administration has denounced the agreement and threatened to rip it up.

After a horrific Saudi “double-tap” bombing of a packed funeral hall in Sana’a in October 2016 that left 827 civilians killed or wounded, the Obama administration halted a planned sale of precision-guided munitions as a token gesture, while continuing to provide the support without which the war on Yemen could not have continued.

Such minimal restrictions are now being lifted, and the Trump administration is adopting a relentlessly hostile stance in relation to Iran, which both Saudi Arabia and Washington have charged, without substantiation, of providing major assistance to the Houthi rebels.

In March, US Defense Secretary James Mattis formally requested approval for stepped-up Pentagon support for the Saudi war in Yemen. A memo submitted to the White House claimed that such aid would serve to combat “a common threat” supposedly posed by Iran, US imperialism’s principal regional rival for hegemony over the oil-rich Middle East.

The immediate aim of an increase in US military aid is to support a planned operation by UAE military forces to seize Hodeida, the country’s main port, through which 70 percent of the country’s imports now flow. The taking of the port would tighten the stranglehold imposed by the naval blockade, potentially condemning millions to death by starvation.

The more far-reaching objective being pursued by Washington is the imposition of US imperialist hegemony across the Middle East through a military confrontation with Iran and the preparation for a global conflict with Washington’s principal rivals, Russia and China.

Copyright © 1998-2017 World Socialist Web Site - All rights reserved

[ckaihatsu]

Just Security: UAE, "tip of spear" at Hodeida, involved in forced disappearances


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,


Urge Congress to block the UAE arms deal.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=gxnrrbbq7VJIDEHlyqPB2jxtyml48ht6)


The Administration has notified Congress of a $2 billion arms deal with the United Arab Emirates. [1] Congress has thirty days to block the deal. This gives Congress an opportunity to pressure the UAE over its participation in the catastrophic Saudi-led war in Yemen. This week it is particularly important to create public friction ahead of Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia, where Trump will also meet UAE officials. [2]

Urge Congress to support a resolution of disapproval against the UAE arms deal by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2Fipu%2FZB4zZDeICX6GEpvzDxtyml48ht6).

The UAE has been a key participant in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, which has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine. [3] The Washington Post referred to the threatened attack by the Saudi-led coalition on the crucial Yemeni port of Hodeida as a "planned Emirati offensive." [4] The UN Special Envoy to Yemen has stated, "We are definitely, unequivocally against any military operation" at Hodeida, warning that such an operation would likely push Yemen into full-blown famine by cutting off the supply of food to northern Yemen through Hodeida. [5]

Now Just Security reports:

"the UAE military and UAE-backed forces are implicated in enforced disappearances and ill treatment of detainees in their ground operations. And it is UAE ground forces who would serve at the tip of the spear in any assault on Hodeidah port." [6]
If Congress approves the UAE arms deal without insisting that the UAE agree to a ceasefire at Hodeida to protect Yemen from famine, Congress could be signing the death warrants of millions of Yemenis who are in imminent danger of dying from starvation and hunger-related illness due to the Saudi-led war and blockade on Yemen.

Urge Congress to support a resolution of disapproval against the UAE arms deal by signing and sharing our petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Fgqlj0c8HSUTgeh8Ei%2BVlzxtyml48ht6).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/11/politics/us-2-billion-arms-sale-uae/
2. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/12/us-saudi-arabia-arms-deal-donald-trump-visit
3. http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-approves-2bn-missile-sale-uae-842404197
4. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-administration-weighs-deeper-involvement-in-yemen-war/2017/03/26/b81eecd8-0e49-11e7-9d5a-a83e627dc120_story.html
5. http://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-group-of-16-lawmakers-threaten-to-block-us-military
6. https://www.justsecurity.org/40978/uae-key-partner-yemen-implicated-detainee-abuse/

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UK PM Theresa May Has Unique Power to Save Yemen From Famine


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Urge UK PM Theresa May to stop blocking UNSC action to save Yemen.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=zEyezlllUpE4wO2fzVPJa3706d%2FsqA36)


The United Nations Security Council, which under the UN Charter is responsible for protecting international peace and security, has failed to stop the Saudi-UAE war and blockade on Yemen which has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine. A key reason is that the UK, which under UK Prime Minister Theresa May is closely aligned with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, is the Security Council "penholder" on Yemen, which means that any UN Security Council resolution on Yemen has to be drafted by the UK. Theresa May's government has abused this power to shield Saudi Arabia and the UAE from diplomatic pressure at the UN for their catastrophic actions in Yemen. [1]

Urge Theresa May to stop blocking UN action to save Yemen by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=V%2B2w6AlwdoYqZ2no6N5C53706d%2FsqA36).

U.N. officials have said that the threatened Saudi-UAE attack on the crucial Yemeni port of Hodeida would almost certainly push Yemen into famine by cutting off food and medicine imports into northern Yemen. But David Beasley, head of the World Food Program, says diplomatic efforts to protect Hodeida have failed. "I was hopeful two weeks ago that was about to resolve, but evidently that hasn’t happened," Beasley said. [2]

Theresa May alone currently wields the power to initiate a Security Council resolution to save Yemen from famine by protecting Hodeida. Urge Theresa May to save Yemen from famine by signing and sharing our petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=4h210Emf%2B0M8IWPRXJ%2FVy3706d%2FsqA36).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. http://sanaacenter.org/publications/item/60-yemen-at-the-un.html; http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/monthly-forecast/2017-02/yemen_26.php
2. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/15/world/middleeast/trump-yemen-saudi-arabia.html

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Chris Murphy: Saudis are deliberately trying to create famine in Yemen


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Watch and share the video. (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ba8LiuLku15n3vyaMQWKhJrpI8nqsWju)

Urge your Senators to cosponsor SJRes40. (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=SMzk%2BNl%2FlG5ADZUAJGz655rpI8nqsWju)

Today, Senator Chris Murphy [D-CT] and Senator Todd Young [R-IN] took to the Senate floor to call out the U.S.backed Saudi-UAE war that is pushing Yemen into famine, and to demand a change in U.S. policy to stop the famine and stop the war.

Senator Murphy said:

"The Saudis are deliberately trying to create a famine inside Yemen in order to essentially starve the Yemenis to the negotiating table."

Watch and share the video. (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=rwftTyk0WvNWJ0K73hBMIfypE%2BjFuPzH)

Senator Young said:

The Saudi-led coalition continues to be responsible for an average of 16 days of additional delays to humanitarian shipments into the port of Hodeida after vessels are cleared by the United Nations verification and inspection mechanism for Yemen. Think of it, your children are starving to death, maybe your entire village is starving to death, and you have a delay of an additional 16 days in humanitarian shipments...

For that reason I've decided to co-sponsor Senator Murphy's legislation, Senate Joint Resolution 40. Before the United States can transfer air-to-ground munitions to Saudi Arabia, the legislation would require the President to … [certify] that Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners are making demonstrable efforts to facilitate the flow of critical humanitarian aid and commercial goods.

Urge your Senators to join Senators Murphy and Young in demanding Saudi Arabia & the UAE allow food into Yemen by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=uTO15VtVTb%2BGUJMSgRn25JrpI8nqsWju).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate
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Pocan: Trump is helping create famine in Yemen. Congress could stop him.


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Read, share Rep. Pocan's op-ed in the Post.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=kC%2B5480LCvT7NfoOeqR72dKdbF3w%2B%2B4h).

As Trump heads to Saudi Arabia to make huge arms deals, Rep. Mark Pocan, writing in the Washington Post, has a message for him (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2FHM2PBPBwMKVc2E10cgFoViGJv6%2Fy27n): demand Saudi Arabia and the UAE end their blockade on Yemen, refrain from bombing Hodeida and enter into a U.N.-brokered political settlement in exchange for U.S.-made weapons. If Trump hands away billions of dollars in arms without getting concessions from Saudi Arabia and the UAE on ending the Saudi-UAE war and blockade in Yemen, Pocan warns (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=3L7nI0FZKUy3%2BnVubB%2BIK1iGJv6%2Fy27n), members of Congress will use every tool at their disposal to take matters into their own hands - from blocking weapons shipments to forcing a debate and vote on U.S. military involvement in Yemen.

Read and share Rep. Pocan's op-ed here (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ztNIYUfwJjWDDou6xah1K1iGJv6%2Fy27n).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

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UAE: Renounce Attack on Hodeida or Face Boycott of Emirates Airline


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,


Tell UAE to renounce Hodeida attack or face a boycott.

Take Action. (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=66FgzdtmuK9dXZaOy3WTA4lZfTA1Aoy1)


Nine Senators [1] and 55 Members of the House [2] have demanded that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates spare the Yemeni port city of Hodeida from military assault to avoid pushing Yemen into famine. But David Beasley, head of the UN World Food Program, says diplomatic efforts to protect Hodeida from Saudi-UAE assault have so far failed. [3] On May 17, Senators Murphy and Young took to the Senate floor to denounce the Saudi-UAE war and blockade on Yemen. Senator Murphy said: "The Saudis are deliberately trying to create a famine inside Yemen in order to essentially starve the Yemenis to the negotiating table." Senator Young said: "I urge the Administration to ask the Saudi government to ... renounce any intention to conduct a military operation against the port of Hodeida." [4]

The UAE is a crucial co-belligerent in the "Saudi-led" war and blockade and the threatened attack on Hodeida. On March 26, the Washington Post reported: "Yemen operations being conducted by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates [include] a planned Emirati offensive to retake [Hodeida]."[5]

Emirates Airline, owned by the UAE government, is vulnerable to public criticism in the U.S. and opposition in Congress. Americans wouldn't support an airline associated with "deliberate famine" in Yemen. Many in Congress have opposed expansion of Emirates Airline in the U.S. market on the grounds that it is unfairly subsidized by the UAE government and threatens American jobs. [6] If Emirates Airline became widely known in the U.S. as the "deliberate famine" airline, Congressional opposition to the expansion of Emirates Airline in the U.S. would increase.

Urge the UAE to renounce any attack on Hodeida or face a boycott of Emirates Airlines by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=BViuMnrXRrednR9ie0UMYYlZfTA1Aoy1).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/join-9-senators-to-tell?sr_by=1135580
2. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/05/02/alarm-grows-in-washington-as-saudi-coalition-attack-on-yemen-port-appears-imminent/
3. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/15/world/middleeast/trump-yemen-saudi-arabia.html
4. https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4670011/murphy-young-yemen-murphy-saudis-deliberately-trying-create-famine-yemen
5. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-administration-weighs-deeper-involvement-in-yemen-war/2017/03/26/b81eecd8-0e49-11e7-9d5a-a83e627dc120_story.html
6. http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/03/nj_lawmakers_seek_to_block_an_international_flight .html

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http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2017/05/24/yeme-m24.html


US launches raid in Yemen as Trump concludes Middle East trip

By Bill Van Auken

24 May 2017

On Tuesday, as President Donald Trump was wrapping up his three-day trip to the Middle East, US Special Operations troops carried out a raid deep into Yemen, with the US Central Command claiming that they killed seven members of Al Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

Both Centcom and local Yemenis reported that the raid conducted in Yemen’s central Ma’arib province was accompanied by intense air strikes by US planes, drones and helicopters.

A Centcom spokesman claimed that the raid was not aimed at killing or capturing any individual, but rather at capturing computers, hard drives and cellphones that could yield information on the AQAP’s plans.

This was also purportedly the purpose of a similar raid conducted on January 29 some 30 miles south of Tuesday’s target in which dozens of civilians were massacred, a Navy Seal was killed and the Pentagon lost a $75 million aircraft. While the Pentagon claimed that the action produced valuable information, US military sources admitted that no actionable intelligence had been uncovered.

Citing local sources, Yemen’s Khabar news website reported that the gun battle involved local tribesmen and some 30 troops, most of them American but including some from the Saudi-led force that is attacking the country. It claimed that several of the US raiders were wounded in the attack, and that no AQAP fighters were in the area at the time of the raid.

Later on Tuesday, CBS news quoted Pentagon officials acknowledging that at least two US troops, members of Navy SEAL Team Six, were wounded. The officials also admitted that they are “still assessing” who they killed in the raid. Earlier they acknowledged that no “high value targets,” meaning known AQAP commanders or operatives, were among the dead.

A US military official told CBS, “there will be more of these,” signaling an intensification of US involvement in the war in Yemen. Since Trump took office in January, US warplanes have carried out at least 81 airstrikes against Yemeni targets, with the majority of victims civilians.

Pentagon officials indicated that Trump did not directly authorize the latest raid, as the White House has given Pentagon commanders, including the chief of Centcom, Gen. Joseph Votel, free rein in terms of escalating the multiple interventions being waged by the US in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Somalia.

The raid follows Trump’s trip to Saudi Arabia over the weekend in which he concluded arms deals with the ruling monarchy that could total as much as $350 billion over the next decade. Both in his speech to the collection of Sunni monarchs and despots assembled in Riyadh for his visit and in his subsequent trip to Israel, Trump made it clear that the main aim of his administration is to forge a regional alliance against Iran, based on a deliberate stoking of tensions between Sunnis and Shiites in the Middle East.

In particular, Trump praised Saudi Arabia and its allies for having “taken strong action against Houthi militants in Yemen.” The near-genocidal Saudi war has killed some 12,000 Yemenis, while laying waste to basic infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, factories and water and sanitation facilities in the Arab world’s poorest country, leaving over 17 million people, fully 60 percent of the population, on the brink of starvation according to UN estimates.

The International Committee of the Red Cross on Saturday described the country as “the world’s single largest humanitarian crisis,” pointing as well to the outbreak of a cholera epidemic with over 25,000 cases reported and hundreds dying.

The arms deals concluded by Washington and the Saudi regime include US tanks, warplanes, Blackhawk helicopters, ships, precision-guided bombs and other ammunition and weapons that will be used directly to slaughter more Yemeni civilians.

Under the Obama administration, the US began providing logistical and intelligence support for the brutal Saudi-led war, including the aerial refueling of Saudi warplanes to allow for continuous bombing of the impoverished country. Limited restrictions on arms shipments imposed as a “human rights” gesture have now been lifted by the Trump administration, and Pentagon chief James “Mad Dog” Mattis has called for stepped up US support for the war.

Both Saudi Arabia and Washington have attempted to portray the Houthi rebels as a proxy force for Iran, though there is no evidence to support this charge. The real issue is that they see any weakening of Saudi Arabia’s domination of its southern neighbor as potentially strengthening the influence of Iran, which is viewed by Washington as a principal obstacle to its drive to assert hegemony over the oil-rich region. To that end, it is now prepared to fuel a war that threatens to kill millions through starvation.

Another evident byproduct of Trump’s Middle East tour came Tuesday in Bahrain, where the ruling Sunni monarchy launched a brutal crackdown against protesters supporting Sheikh Isa Qassim, the spiritual leader of the country’s Shia majority, who has been stripped of his Bahraini citizenship and prosecuted on various trumped-up charges. The ruling monarchical regime has carried out systematic repression against the population since it crushed, with the aid of Saudi tanks, a mass movement for democratic rights in 2011.

During a photo session in Riyadh on Sunday with Bahrain’s king, Sheikh Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa, Trump declared, “Our countries have a wonderful relationship together, but there has been a little strain, but there won’t be strain with this administration.” The message was clear: carry out whatever repression you like, there will be no more hypocritical noises about human rights from Washington. The US administration is also pursuing some $5 billion in arms deals with the Bahraini regime.

In Tuesday’s crackdown, security forces laid siege to the northwestern village of Diraz, attacking a sit-in protest with tear gas, birdshot and live ammunition. At least two protesters were killed and several others were reported in critical condition. They stormed the house of Sheikh Isa Qassim, whose fate was not immediately known. The Bahraini Interior Ministry announced that at least 50 demonstrators were arrested in the village.

Copyright © 1998-2017 World Socialist Web Site - All rights reserved

[ckaihatsu]

She makes $20 million a year...


CODEPINK


http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/codepink/mailings/2623/attachments/original/MarillynHewsonShare.jpg?1495650270 (http://www.codepink.org/people_before_profits?e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c 4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=marillynhewson1&n=2)


Dear Chris,

In 2015, Forbes named Marillyn Hewson, CEO of Lockheed Martin, the highest paid female CEO and “the 20th most powerful woman in the world”. Hewson fashions herself a role model for women, but her company is selling weapons to the Saudi regime, weapons that are killing and maiming women and children day after day.

As CEO of a company whose annual report boasts of being “...proud to stand with our international partners to enhance their capabilities to protect the lives of citizens and build a brighter future…”, it seems like a good time to tell Marillyn Hewson that selling weapons to the repressive Saudi regime will not protect lives of Yemeni citizens nor build a brighter future. (http://www.codepink.org/people_before_profits?e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c 4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=marillynhewson1&n=3)

President Trump’s trip to Saudi Arabia resulted in a massive $110 billion arms deal, and a big chunk of that, $28 billion, will go to Lockheed Martin. Lockheed Martin brags that it plays a major role in “strengthening United States and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ties to bolster global security.” The company is selling the Saudi military everything from integrated air and missile defense systems to combat ships to tactical aircraft and rotary wing technologies. All will be used to further the Saudi’s aggressive policies in the region and to repress its own people.

Sign on to tell Marillyn Hewson to be a real role model for women and live up to her company’s motto about “engineering a better tomorrow” by refusing to sell weapons to the Saudi regime. (http://www.codepink.org/people_before_profits?e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c 4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=marillynhewson1&n=4)

Marillyn Hewson needs to put people over profit. She should not be facilitating the war in Yemen, where a child dies every 10 minutes from the consequences of war. And since we know that President Trump has become a global salesman for her company, she should give him a call. Tell Trump that instead of arming dictators, he should push his Saudi buddies to announce a ceasefire and negotiate a political solution to the war that is so devastating to the people of Yemen.

Don't forget to share the above image on Facebook (http://www.codepink.org/r?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsharer%2Fshar er.php%3Fu%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.codepink.org%2 52Fpeople_before_profits%26display%3Dpopup%26ref%3 Dplugin%26src%3Dlike%26kid_directed_site%3D0%26app _id%3D126739610711965&e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=marillynhewson1&n=5) and Twitter (http://www.codepink.org/r?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fcodepink%2Fstatus% 2F867449121489248256%2Fphoto%2F1&e=247b6f0c69174ee7dfa25e341c4eedfe&utm_source=codepink&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=marillynhewson1&n=6)!

People before profits!
Ann, Ariel, Crystal, Desiree, Jodie, Lenny, Mariana, Mark, Medea, Nancy, Paki, Paula, Taylor and Tighe

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[ckaihatsu]

Congress: Vote NO on Trump's Saudi Arms Deal


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,


Tell Congress to block Trump's Saudi arms deal.

Take Action. (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=EEG%2FQIbLJVj36v%2FE0qyXEwzbXRd7VgKw)


There's a big Congressional fight coming on Trump's Saudi arms deal. This deal is controversial because Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are using U.S. weapons to kill civilians and destroy civilian infrastructure in Yemen, deliberately trying to create famine in Yemen [1]; and because Trump's Saudi arms deal is widely seen as a U.S. seal of approval for escalation of the catastrophic Saudi-UAE war and blockade. [2]

Under the Arms Export Control Act, Congress has thirty days to pass a resolution of disapproval to block the deal. Senators Chris Murphy [D-CT] and Rand Paul [R-KY] [3] and Representatives Mark Pocan [D-WI] and Justin Amash [R-MI] [4] are expected to introduce resolutions of disapproval within days.

On June 16, 2016, the House narrowly failed to block the transfer of cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia. 90% of Democrats and 20% of Republicans voted against giving Saudi Arabia these intrinsically anti-civilian weapons. [5] To block Trump's Saudi arms deal, we have to make this be like the House Saudi cluster bomb vote, and then do just a little better than that - a few more Democrats and/or a few more Republicans.

Urge your Senators and Representative to co-sponsor and vote for the resolutions blocking Trump's Saudi arms deal by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Rt8bDCalF0tCYAJUjCp5DgzbXRd7VgKw).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4670011/murphy-young-yemen-murphy-saudis-deliberately-trying-create-famine-yemen
2. http://www.newyorker.com/news/john-cassidy/trumps-big-saudi-arms-deal-will-cause-more-misery-for-yemen
3. http://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/24/sen-rand-paul-expected-to-force-vote-on-key-portion-of-110-billion-saudi-arms-deal.html
4. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2017/05/19/trump-may-be-helping-to-create-a-famine-in-yemen-congress-could-stop-him/
5. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/obama-heeding-close-house_b_10516480.html

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[ckaihatsu]

Stop U.S. Selling Weapons to Saudi Arabia


https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/data/000/095/318/original/saudiweapons.jpg (http://click.actionnetwork.org/mpss/c/3QA/ni0YAA/t.27n/z-Xnj_Z6TaiDw_SJr1WyUg/h1/WQ-2BlIwq7W2eCmkkcwbDiBV0Frf8aO-2BhheoIczpshG3AQITHLp4QqEad-2FOFcBIwlJaE-2FFhZ6EQiG356H8KVQfNJ-2FUf4HNUb5l0MJZt8ur1Aeomad22-2Bk-2BEMzurfDXGM4aeFD91vK1BFS7TcYL8-2FlsAlVtezp6DrjLUh1iaQzt638OLtbvDEkfwZ-2BC3vIJmgOOldvgWnJuByi9raqd6mhcys0OYGj7-2FY89nMWTs3HHmL7p97YI8fy-2BUGZ3QgVhsa70jIy15fhtJWF1Cko7JlCEvlkca4LZg9VwQDrO MN-2BtG-2BLXyUf5CtgZCqGytG3Vwz7Q3yQr3lcEDim0Jv9y3hCSkwmzPE c2zpoVLJnmfl7mJ2rvTPUnG3MpmdWBEZgbTxaFZUfKCWN6wVBE xEvDH8RHUA-3D-3D)
SIGN THE PETITION (http://click.actionnetwork.org/mpss/c/3QA/ni0YAA/t.27n/z-Xnj_Z6TaiDw_SJr1WyUg/h2/WQ-2BlIwq7W2eCmkkcwbDiBV0Frf8aO-2BhheoIczpshG3AQITHLp4QqEad-2FOFcBIwlJaE-2FFhZ6EQiG356H8KVQfNJ-2FUf4HNUb5l0MJZt8ur1Adkcy0dBMMq7z6vyew1FjTH3ObWS1v 6njkogcHuzqNToxvClonkIysdYQIcKPjZKFqhhRNxrUnGMtPy0 L3iKCL6Qk2hnytVkyEX02q6ZDrIef8hP9hh8wfEe946SoFxc3-2Bt3f1qNIeZRDNqri7CHnS9p-2BtWk7fkDjzEcqpR8-2BC5IPUXb-2BSPmx9-2BVmctnfutJ-2FQEsfYDixSYvEi4dpaFt1DbU3VQDQftoXWQ8f9HyZPATnpL1Y xPwCCc1L4swfpEseqRkRtjZmgGXpo4iOYEVwo0a-2B0-2BLxEpJmR6DWZ6mO3tDQ-3D-3D)


Millions of people in Yemen are on the edge of starvation. Cholera is spreading. Bitter and violent resentment of those responsible: the Saudi and U.S. governments, is boiling up. Yet Donald Trump proposes to go right on selling Saudi Arabia the weapons with which to continue the war that has created and is maintaining the crisis.

Yes, the United States is slaughtering civilians by the thousands in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, and there is something ridiculously hypocritical about professing standards that prevent selling weapons to a government that uses them to kill civilians. No, there is no proper moral way to conduct the campaigns of mass-murder known as wars so that worthy recipients of war weapons can be distinguished from Saudi Arabia and other unworthy ones. But when we have a chance to alleviate great suffering, we must act on it immediately.

We have that chance. After May 26, U.S. Congress Members and Senators will be home for a week, where they should hear from their constituents in person. In June they will have to vote one way or the other on whether to go on selling war weapons to Saudi Arabia. We will deliver this petition to them.

Please sign it. (http://click.actionnetwork.org/mpss/c/3QA/ni0YAA/t.27n/z-Xnj_Z6TaiDw_SJr1WyUg/h3/WQ-2BlIwq7W2eCmkkcwbDiBV0Frf8aO-2BhheoIczpshG3AQITHLp4QqEad-2FOFcBIwlJaE-2FFhZ6EQiG356H8KVQfNJ-2FUf4HNUb5l0MJZt8ur1AflmsAJfwB99-2FdrUeQXFWdXGbYbhD1psNlGym2G57Kt5AKQZHrVDtTuGsqZpH IAKXLyNYoF0krbLX-2FGe3OwcivW6KBXfcIzSlvYZFTADBgJ-2FsuakO2Ox75kMlpW3nzyMs0zr9l-2FT2rS-2FhLkufyhRjGp98kJ62XD3sDfc3999BCHNLDUOCF7TXzQ1ucj0 yooR5gZXuCDYmOhbIZ45bW-2FwRNKP4b1gtPoPC0WP3V0vc7RLT9uYfHnqSz35sFAIbf20oH7 RQ-2BMHDmsDpNu2iOoFyl6LdWBxk0v3E9rfiAXmkUnFg-3D-3D)

Please also, if you are from the U.S., phone your Representative and your two Senators at 1-(202) 224-3121.

Get informed:

> Patrick Hiller: The $110 Billion Myth of Supporting Saudi Arabia's Defense Needs
> Senate Joint Resolution
> House Joint Resolution
> The Hill: Senate Gears Up for Fight on Trump's $110B Saudi Arabia Arms Sale
> HuffPost: The $110 Billion Arms Deal Trump Just Signed With Saudi Arabia May Be Illegal
> Defense One: There's Less than Meets the Eye in Trump's Saudi Arms Deal
> Statement from Senator Chris Murphy
> Statement from Congressman Justin Amash

Please forward this to everyone you can, share on social media, and embed the petition on websites!

Sign the Declaration of Peace. (http://click.actionnetwork.org/mpss/c/3QA/ni0YAA/t.27n/z-Xnj_Z6TaiDw_SJr1WyUg/h12/7CBW3QOYpmFsnSfOK5kPeAeCw1TEUzd5srKKUntGshqbGovPV5 IC9oc96cWnwXW5PqxpncgOqKyeBP5X8YkX80HphWvG4YMvxBsM-2BpRDlMOxyb8X2CKhuSPapwSgLFg8L-2FNNIbJ3hpRkD3h06Is58kNwO47Vgs-2FY4o2SgEg6vWj5vAYZ-2BArOVJ0jF97orhFBY36-2Bse6BDojutALIBZliCNDSMVaH5VMhj6sMGCxEKcF-2FUCR0BixSusWH2wi1KJ8NvDN1Moe-2BbmUaXttlrK7dA1PcsbjcR89hxVsvo3-2F2UFVy12Gn6mwOYgoU8VbDZEmoBzCmgrAi7Y46Ggg-2F4haFBA-3D-3D)

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Join us on Facebook (http://click.actionnetwork.org/mpss/c/3QA/ni0YAA/t.27n/z-Xnj_Z6TaiDw_SJr1WyUg/h14/HE2UYZIDTZxfLuJ8qHDFiDm7vYuLTAkQPOYHBYIS-2B-2Bwrmxxvx2tLIbDcASCSj41AEMtAMsi7kpWFpJPezJdrdl5A4x Nhg9u-2FSB1cTybQImllw2fxRr-2F-2BDcQHE5bG7H3HstnLqrQ2pQ1gVMfPtRroTA8ePosc390R27zK wUTTtn1mqDqy1CNEsdyr445yWe9EuSU1E5cJXM8-2BHefjXQhehuBDRUBhj07OodKPl8d4i5hlr-2Bl203I-2F-2Bj1hn0ff3-2BEgUSGSblBEUHSCPrjP2INcbvmYDv8fraYkZT53v-2F-2BRxLBOqMGcEXtdpT7RU3q61kvJRXnmjUV1Mb4jwshzU8ROQw-3D-3D) and Twitter (http://click.actionnetwork.org/mpss/c/3QA/ni0YAA/t.27n/z-Xnj_Z6TaiDw_SJr1WyUg/h15/9RXDenI7BReTpKa-2F42PXTLiLh98V4KYxPh2yHapKEpPWdt2Nf0D5I-2FSPXTnAG02mLTotnrUCT6y3H39qussDL6KIXv6XhtMH2Qw44G 5LH1AW-2FtEZptAzoygFIwxy2mYb8JHbMMBoZBGwk8pG1PviWXRv2Vf6w tvn-2F15KODLQt8aa25nbwynZxvh8n-2FrQhupKS7D9mwUJ34RYv-2F-2FlAWcIyy7OyfdqD-2FJDLkDIqs-2FvoA-2FkJYvWRF0lsfW7thgiShDakKjJ26nGn9D36ojOxX3e50yCYf-2B0-2FwcG2FAlR6RLgkbj7GvL9KPyf9H4b5yxJlNq46ZllOzmUCbg3 XLR8S11TA-3D-3D).

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[ckaihatsu]

A Blank Check to Starve Millions


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Yemen is on the edge of famine and the Saudi Arabia-led coalition is deliberately pushing it over the cliff. [1]

The Saudi-led coalition's intervention in Yemen has been rife with apparent war crimes and thousands of civilian deaths. And if the Saudi-led coalition chooses to attack Hodeida seaport, the UN, humanitarian aid groups, and members of Congress have warned that it would mean famine for millions.

Yet while the Saudis kill and maim Yemeni civilians, the Trump administration has approved a $100 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia. This effectively gives the Saudis a blank check to starve millions and continue their abuses in the civil war.

Some members of Congress are not willing to allow this devastation to continue unchecked. Reps. Justin Amash and Mark Pocan [2] and Senators Chris Murphy, Rand Paul, and Al Franken [3] are demanding a vote on this massive arms sale and have introduced resolutions of disapproval to do so.

They can't do it alone though. Can you support our work to get other members of Congress to support the resolutions and stop the #HungerWars? (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=cxRVDez2vVXzA7A0AYZNcIdJnMPq1vKf)

www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

If you'd prefer to send a check, please mail it to:

Just Foreign Policy
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Washington, DC 20016

And if you haven't yet, sign our petition urging Congress to oppose the Saudi arms sale (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=J7wKuAcg3UlV27LCBvsCay57kOPMad1K).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4670011/murphy-young-yemen-murphy-saudis-deliberately-trying-create-famine-yemen
2. http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2017/05/rep_justin_amash_seeks_to_bloc.html
3. https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-paul-franken-demand-senate-vote-on-proposed-weapons-sale-to-saudi-arabia

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[ckaihatsu]

Aid Workers In Yemen Express Alarm At U.S.-Saudi Arms Deal (http://click.actionnetwork.org/mpss/c/6wA/ni0YAA/t.27r/5bTfumqcQTKdAeHNcaK81A/h15/ZcQUeioteD4kF6Kj0Iabgd1rbDwuvckpQTeRaVawvXOP5kIjIZ ej3HFKbHJ6YKitzJudc7fe4zxkFykHhhQaUdBYs9i1cB-2B5OQ9nSvIS0Sk4rKw6x2gDz5d-2BaiLaDidcTHzyQvOwdC-2BPOsQzgw2gCylpzHVPd0BgQVkZwQ2PT-2F4StSBZxgHxYGS14c3dN2tqPpp8b5bUrENWeAybSvbGgK04sL 34KbsHh9rM-2FW5pABzf0CX4lwrB1yl2N3jKGUfWNbu-2F1dUGO3kYCzTrd8ATxoZx4apl-2FvX5A3WFRYuZjZ7WSOm0iUspocChTbGwCaCmrry72FtxPLazF ywj9MT1zpRxDDXPaCZY-2FCeXcMB52T2Ij5-2F3UW5Tf3r7DEYg0fiFN3o6NxyowsWn3FJPeJ7ZKuSYN5x5NmB nHIsrreEmLcdQZZQcGR4Ne27BQ-2B8KY9k7utFOz2JELbuqR8q60Vly-2BJ2UzvgltVGdTaZ-2F7EKXrb-2FQ2jHiO9uk2N8BdtQeEBw9dLXhoK9GTqr3iQEJgR9VoK9kGo3 TPOIJ-2BGqRZQntr0E-3D)

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5921b0ef639147e5008b53f2-2400/2017-05-21t140946z1lynxmped4k0kfrtroptp4usa-trump-Saudi.jpg

While Donald Trump was basking in the glow of the Saudi royalty's garish opulence, National Public Radio aired a rare interview with a Yemeni whose family had been displaced by Saudi bombing. Michele Kelemen introduced Bushra Alkdukhainah, who manages an office in northern Yemen for the international aid group CARE. In the interview conducted in Washington, she tried hard to remain neutral, saying all sides in this war are responsible for the desperate situation of the population, and everyone has suffered, including her own family, who fled their town two years ago as it came under Saudi-led airstrikes. She lost two cousins and says her 11-year-old son is having the hardest time coping with this. Although Alkdukhainah wouldn't weigh in on the Trump administration's latest arms sales to the Saudis, Keleman said a Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chris Murphy, "doesn't mince his words". The report then cuts to an interview with Murphy, followed by Fadia Thabet, a Yemeni activist who was given an award at the State Department earlier this year. She held the Saudi-led coalition responsible for most of the civilian deaths, but also blamed the coalition and their opponents, the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, for targeting civilians. [LISTEN (http://click.actionnetwork.org/mpss/c/6wA/ni0YAA/t.27r/5bTfumqcQTKdAeHNcaK81A/h16/ZcQUeioteD4kF6Kj0Iabgd1rbDwuvckpQTeRaVawvXOP5kIjIZ ej3HFKbHJ6YKitzJudc7fe4zxkFykHhhQaUdBYs9i1cB-2B5OQ9nSvIS0Sk4rKw6x2gDz5d-2BaiLaDidcrbNYqjPgZhUFAWs7XAfYDuHRfY2BhO5Xwzow1OCq WvByHa0XUnf7gACaEpmPUooogdNUdlclMBBh6vGtkD7tQL9cch iPTjIXwqgCff8Y7lJaeCRWzap-2FA38w62d-2FO2hLNZ9Agutoz5PUbBw-2Fn7ajwGGq-2Fwp-2FEU5g7fSxmzNdtLEjPHwtiWc1dwVOJGPVJQ-2BzKqlhhpPyKBxicrPMHN2fFKX5THw2WVlOZrFbkYOfByShILB E1QZQ5YOMYL6nZrl2wzUFIIEmKxBaGdYFCX2E1H4OxbQ0KWFRb EFB1uyebcnBosg0Rp9nK5oyU4Yko9ExdElP6ejbBqCDj6xPRcK OqSJelYH6c59WJqdmEtJusih3ttFXd8TC1OAqXwWWf9ZkvHzZD mruS0KQHPakPoH5iR7AdLm7SO8kZ4K3fifS4Po-3D)]

https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/data/000/095/696/original/US_troops_-_liberators_or_oppressors.png


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[ckaihatsu]

Demand that HFAC hold a hearing on Trump's Saudi arms deal


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Demand that the House Foreign Affairs Committee hold a hearing on Trump's Saudi arms deal.

Take Action. (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=TYJM7PDs3hps8Wh0MHTJRY5a4aZdMIk3)


On Wednesday, a big coalition of Democratic-aligned groups is going to deliver petitions to Congress "demanding answers from Trump" and "calling for the truth from Trump." We asked the leaders of this coalition: how about delivering a petition to Congress demanding "answers" and "the truth" from Trump on his Saudi arms deal? Sure, they said.

Demand "answers" and "the truth" from Trump on his Saudi arms deal by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=A4a6Ah0DUWWpPr9bwxVyr45a4aZdMIk3).

Senators Rand Paul, Chris Murphy, and Al Franken have introduced a resolution in the Senate against Trump's Saudi arms deal. [1] Representatives Justin Amash and Mark Pocan have introduced a companion resolution in the House. [2] Under the Arms Export Control Act, the Senate resolution is guaranteed a floor vote. But the House resolution is not guaranteed a floor vote. The House resolution could be buried by the House Foreign Affairs Committee [HFAC] and never receive a floor vote. So we need to generate pressure on HFAC.

On May 25, Reps. Ted Lieu and Ted Yoho sent a letter to HFAC Chairman Ed Royce calling for a full committee hearing to review the Trump Administration’s proposed sale of precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia. The letter noted that the Trump Administration had yet to provide information related to the Saudi Air Force’s capacity to avoid civilian casualties and attacks on civilian targets in its airstrikes in Yemen which was requested by 31 Members of Congress, including members of the Committee, in a letter on April 6, 2017. The Obama Administration suspended the sale in December 2016 following repeated Saudi airstrikes on civilian targets. [3]

Add your voice to the demand that HFAC hold a hearing on Trump's Saudi arms deal by signing our and sharing our petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Z0ZiTY56TVlg0aT2Qk2tnI5p5aM99%2BRZ).

[P.S. See below for a note from Peace Action about the briefing call Monday with Kate Kizer of the Yemen Peace Project and Kate Gould of the Friends Committee on National Legislation on the war in Yemen and blocking the Saudi arms deal ]

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/42
2. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-joint-resolution/102
3. https://lieu.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-lieu-and-yoho-call-foreign-affairs-committee-review-arms-sales

===

Here's the note from Peace Action about the Monday briefing call:

=

Urgent Yemen Briefing and Action Steps: Stop the Saudi Arabia Arms Sales

Dear Robert,

Please join this important conference call to help prevent a further humanitarian disaster and mass famine from happening in Yemen and stop the U.S. from selling arms to Saudi Arabia.
Next Monday, June 5th from 5:00 - 6:00 PM Pacific, 6:00 - 7:00 PM Mountain, 7:00 - 8:00 PM Central, 8:00 - 9:00 PM Eastern
Dial-in Number: (605) 472-5575
Access Code: 944808
iPhone:
(605) 472-5575,,944808#
And/or
http://login.meetcheap.com/conference,25472621
RSVPs are extremely helpful but not required:
https://goo.gl/forms/VCj0VUn2mO1Y2mW02

Agenda (Eastern Times)
8:00 - 8:20 PM (20 mins) What you need to know about the Yemen crisis and Saudi Arabia arms sales - Kate Kizer, Director of Policy & Advocacy, The Yemen Peace Project (Bio Below)
8:20 - 8:30 PM (10 mins) Q & A
8:30 - 8:40 PM (10 mins) What you can do to end the war in Yemen? How can you stop the Saudi Arms sale? - Kate Gould, Legislative Representative for Middle East Policy, Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) (Bio Below)
8:40 - 8:55 PM (15 mins) Q & A
8:55 - 9:00 PM (5 mins) Next Steps

Briefing Call Cosponsors:

Center for International Policy
CODEPINK
Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
Global Progressive Hub
Just Foreign Policy
National Priorities Project
Peace Action
People Demanding Action
STAND: The Student-Led Movement to End Mass Atrocities
The Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM
The Yemen Peace Project
United for Peace & Justice
United Methodist General Board of Church and Society
US Labor Against the War
Win Without War

About the Expert Briefers:

Kate Kizer
Director of Policy & Advocacy, The Yemen Peace Project

Kate has worked on human rights and democratization in the Middle East for nearly ten years. Kate received her B.A. in Middle Eastern and North African Studies from UCLA, studied Arabic at the American University in Cairo, and is currently an M.A. candidate at Georgetown University’s Democracy and Governance program. Kate has also traveled extensively in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and Syria. Her writing and commentary have been featured in numerous news outlets, including Reuters, Al Jazeera America, Middle East Eye, OpenDemocracy, and the Huffington Post.

Kate directs YPP’s policy and advocacy program to ensure US foreign policy in Yemen reflects the needs and interests of Yemenis and Yemeni Americans.

Kate Gould
Legislative Representative, Middle East Policy, FCNL

Kate Gould serves as the Legislative Representative for Middle East Policy. Kate directs FCNL's lobbying on Middle East policy, and is one of only a handful of registered lobbyists in Washington, D.C. working to support diplomatic solutions to disputes between the U.S. and Iran and the conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Israel/Palestine.

Gould was profiled in 2015 as the “Quaker Lobbyist Behind the Iran Deal Fight,” by Congressional Quarterly, an outlet with readership that includes 95% of members of Congress. Kate's analysis on Middle East policy has been published in The New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, The Guardian, The Daily Beast, CNN, Reuters, AFP and other national outlets. Kate has appeared as an on-air analyst for various TV and radio programs, including the O'Reilly Factor on Fox News, The Thom Hartmann Show, The Real News Network and CCTV. She is a Political Partner at the Truman National Security Project, and serves as a board member of the Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship and Churches for Middle East Peace.
Before coming to FCNL, Kate taught Palestinian school teachers for AMIDEAST while coordinating a radio program on peace building efforts at a joint Israeli-Palestinian think tank in Jerusalem. Kate also interned for Senator Jeff Merkley both in her hometown of Medford, Oregon and in his Washington, DC office. Kate is inspired every day by people she met in the Middle East who practice nonviolence in the face of so much violence: the Palestinian shepherds, Israeli rabbis, Palestinian women’s cooperative owners, therapists in Gaza treating children who have lived through three wars, and Syrian and Iraqi refugees who have started over to make a new life. Kate is a member of the Friends Meeting of Washington.

Cheers,

Paul Kawika Martin
Senior Director, Policy and Political Affairs
Peace Action

P.S. Please forward this invitation to your friends, family and colleagues.
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[ckaihatsu]

TODAY: Help me push Duckworth to oppose Trump's Saudi arms deal


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Call Duckworth. (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=6nWKy6Vd8YvRtuXw47AtyJfWaJuTgDJD)
Sign the petition. (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=4M7UyljNius8gIqCE55H7JfWaJuTgDJD)


I'm on the train to Springfield. I'm going to deliver the Illinois signatures on our petition to Tammy Duckworth's Springfield offices, demanding that she co-sponsor the Paul-Murphy-Franken resolution (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=HhIWtRGp8T4H5O19snCCKZfWaJuTgDJD) against Trump's Saudi arms deal, in order to help end the catastrophic Saudi-UAE war and blockade that is deliberately pushing Yemen into famine.

Here's how you can help:

1. Sign and share the petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=uHMbxYoCrEUxaHRNw7XH7JfWaJuTgDJD).

2. Call Tammy Duckworth's Springfield office now at (217) 528-6124. Urge them to cosponsor Senator Murphy's resolution (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=TF42H0sxwBSE1EOyxy4O2ZfWaJuTgDJD) against Trump's Saudi arms deal.

3. Join the "UFPJ and friends" briefing call tonight (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=qfem1LVZ50ue6KrV3mvle5fWaJuTgDJD) on stopping Trump's Saudi arms deal and ending U.S. backing for the Saudi-UAE war in Yemen.

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

Please support our work. Donate for a Just Foreign Policy

© 2016 Just Foreign Policy

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[ckaihatsu]

Join the briefing call tonight on Trump's Saudi arms deal & the Yemen war


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Tonight, a host of organizations is co-sponsoring a briefing call on Trump's Saudi arms deal and ending U.S. support for the Saudi-UAE war and blockade in Yemen, that is deliberately pushing Yemen into famine. The briefers are Kate Kizer of the Yemen Peace Project and Kate Gould of the Friends Committee on National Legislation. The call begins at 5PM Pacific, 6PM Mountain, 7PM Central, 8PM Eastern.

More info is here (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=DpbuISZGPPWhc7wBCP3tObQMPW0ooHfq). Please join us. .

Sign and share our petition against Trump's Saudi arms deal here (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=494ltiJmQzs5OCLbXOWXgbQMPW0ooHfq).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

Please support our work. Donate for a Just Foreign Policy

© 2016 Just Foreign Policy

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[ckaihatsu]

Back UN Call for Saudi-Yemen Cease-fire to Stop Cholera & Famine


Dear Chris,


Urge your Rep. to use WPR to force a House vote on the Saudi war in Yemen.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=RneJIAf7imanaZAeDtb%2BZShr8y8HbfdF).


On June 15, the United Nations Security Council unanimously called for a cease-fire in the conflict between the Saudi-UAE coalition and the Houthi-Saleh forces in Yemen. "The U.N. Security Council urged the warring parties in Yemen on Thursday to immediately agree on a cease-fire and keep all ports open for humanitarian aid to confront the threat of famine and the rapid spread of cholera," AP reported. [1]

Urge your Rep. to force a House vote to back the UN call for ceasefire. (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=O9ILe1RK6hDz5gisiRHOBihr8y8HbfdF)

On June 13, using the Arms Export Control Act to force a floor vote, the U.S. Senate narrowly failed to block an arms deal with Saudi Arabia. Senators opposed to the deal stressed the need to end the humanitarian crisis in Yemen rather than escalate it. [2]

"The Saudi-led war in Yemen has created a humanitarian disaster," Senator Bernie Sanders said. "Millions are at the risk of starvation...the chaos in Yemen has also been strategically disastrous for the United States, providing fertile ground for the extremist groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS...it is long past time that we begin to take a very hard look at our relationship with Saudi Arabia...it is important that we begin to discuss...the decades long effort by Saudi Arabia to export an ultra-reactionary form of Islam throughout the world." [3]

"The human rights and humanitarian concerns have been well documented and are important,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said. “Of equal concern to me is that the Saudi government continues to aid and abet terrorism via its relationship with Wahhabism and the funding of schools that spread extremist propaganda throughout the world." [4]

Yet the New York Times reported on June 14 that the Trump Administration plans to escalate U.S. participation in the Saudi bombing of Yemen, with U.S. military advisers in the Saudi air operations control center in Riyadh. [5]

U.S. participation in the Saudi war in Yemen has never been authorized by Congress. [6] Under the Vietnam Era War Powers Resolution of 1973, a single Member of Congress can force a debate and vote on withdrawing U.S. participation from the Saudi war in Yemen - the conflict that the UN Security Council has just unanimously said should stop immediately to save Yemen from cholera and famine.

Under the Arms Export Control Act, any Senator could force a vote on the Saudi arms deal, allowing the Senate to vote on U.S. participation in Saudi Arabia's war and blockade in Yemen. But the only way for House Members to force a vote on the war is to invoke the War Powers Resolution. The last time the House voted on any aspect of U.S. participation in the Saudi war was June 2016, when the House narrowly failed to prohibit the transfer of cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia. [7]

Urge your Representative to use WPR to force a House vote on backing the UN cease-fire call to save Yemen from cholera and famine by signing our petition.

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/un-urges-yemen-cease-fire-and-open-ports-to-confront-cholera/2017/06/15/ec92b4b8-5219-11e7-b74e-0d2785d3083d_story.html
2. https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/saudi-yemen-war-famine?r_by=1135580
3. Senator Bernie Sanders, "We Must Reevaluate Our Relationship With Saudi Arabia," https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqbebpDHCnE
4. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/chuck-schumer-trump-saudi-arabia_us_593ec911e4b02402687bae98
5. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/world/middleeast/saudi-arabia-arms-training-yemen.html
6. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/05/02/alarm-grows-in-washington-as-saudi-coalition-attack-on-yemen-port-appears-imminent/; https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2017/05/19/trump-may-be-helping-to-create-a-famine-in-yemen-congress-could-stop-him/
7. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/obama-heeding-close-house_b_10516480.html

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[ckaihatsu]

25 killed in Saudi attack on Yemen market. Urge your Rep. to take action


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,


Urge your Rep. to act for Yemen ceasefire.

Take Action. (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=RDg0dBkmNbVbNaeTojnSyucax8jbnqW%2F)


Yesterday, Reuters [1] and Al Jazeera [2] reported that more than 25 people were killed by Saudi airstrikes on a market in Yemen on Saturday - despite the UN Security Council's unanimous call last Thursday for an immediate cease-fire [3].

Urge your Representative to back the UN call for ceasefire in Yemen by signing our petition at MoveOn.

This morning, I was joined by constituents of Rep. Jim McGovern at McGovern's office in Northampton, MA to deliver constituent petitions calling for McGovern to back the UN's call for ceasefire by forcing a House vote on continued U.S. participation in the war.

Picture of our delivery here: http://bit.ly/2sjwI4Z

We're going to keep pressing Representatives like McGovern until our demand for a House vote on the war is met.

Sign and share our petition now. (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2BYI6wskY7E3quK29bjIZ9%2Bcax8jbnqW%2F)

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN1990GX?il=0
2. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/06/saudi-coalition-strikes-saada-market-kill-dozens-170618105050865.html
3. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/un-urges-yemen-cease-fire-and-open-ports-to-confront-cholera/2017/06/15/ec92b4b8-5219-11e7-b74e-0d2785d3083d_story.html

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[ckaihatsu]

via wsws.org (http://www.wsws.org)

King Salman’s move portends more autocratic rule, economic hardship and an escalation of regional wars.

More... (http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2017/06/23/saud-j23-j23.html)

[ckaihatsu]

More than 10,000 people have died amid the ongoing U.S.-backed, Saudi-led war in Yemen, which has also destroyed the country's health, water and sanitation systems, sparking a deadly cholera outbreak.


More... (https://www.democracynow.org/2017/6/22/from_war_to_cholera_yemen_is)

[ckaihatsu]

via justforeignpolicy.org (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/)

Late on Monday, June 26, the White House threatened military escalation against the Syrian government. US defense officials reached by BuzzFeed News said they were unaware (https://www.buzzfeed.com/claudiakoerner/white-house-says-syria-may-be-preparing-another-chemical) the White House was planning to release its statement. Military officials were caught off guard (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/26/us/politics/syria-will-pay-a-heavy-price-for-another-chemical-attack-trump-says.html) by the White House statement, the New York Times reported.
Urge your representatives to assert Congress' war powers to challenge Trump's military escalations by signing our petition at MoveOn (https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/assert-war-powers-to?r_by=1135580).
As Katrina vanden Heuvel wrote at the Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trumps-chaos-is-covering-for-stealth-escalation-overseas/2017/06/27/30bab1f0-5a9d-11e7-a9f6-7c3296387341_story.html), "While Washington is fixated on President Trump’s tweets, antics, lies and Russiagate, the administration is ramping up a stealth escalation of our military involvement across the Middle East."
Congress has never authorized the use of military force against the Syrian government, just as it has never authorized U.S. participation in Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen (https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/house-back-un-call-for?r_by=1135580). Under the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution, Congress, not the President, decides if the U.S. should use military force against the Syrian government, so long as the Syrian government has not attacked the United States. Attacking Syria without Congressional authorization is an impeachable offense (http://www.npr.org/2017/05/17/528743744/the-president-the-comey-memo-and-the-elephant-in-the-room-impeachment).
read more (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/alert-assert-war-powers-syria-yemen)


More... (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/alert-assert-war-powers-syria-yemen)

[ckaihatsu]

To Stop Cholera & Famine, Stop Refueling Saudi Warplanes Bombing Yemen


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Urge your reps. to pass amendments to block refueling of Saudi warplanes bombing Yemen.

Take Action. (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=udpTMEThx5Xi0kHQ%2BHyrp4VGjetPEHEI)


Yemen now faces the worst cholera outbreak in the world, due to the U.S.-aided Saudi-UAE war and blockade that have pushed Yemen to the brink of famine. "There's a U.S. imprint on every civilian death inside Yemen that's caused by the Saudi bombing campaign," Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut said. "The Saudis simply could not operate this bombing campaign without us. Their planes can't fly without U.S. refueling capacity." [1]

Congress can stop this by amending the National Defense Authorization Act and the Department of Defense Appropriation to prohibit the U.S. refueling of Saudi warplanes bombing Yemen.

Urge your Senators & Representative to back amendments to prohibit U.S. refueling of Saudi warplanes bombing Yemen by signing our petition at MoveOn. (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=UbKRwzXjIyFRToCzoot6q%2BFnTUXnLI0b)

https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/to-stop-cholera-famine?r_by=1135580

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/06/24/534236954/yemen-now-faces-the-worst-cholera-outbreak-in-the-world-u-n-says

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[ckaihatsu]

via wsws.org (http://www.wsws.org)

An outbreak of cholera caused by the multi-year assault led by Saudi Arabia on the impoverished country has sickened a quarter million Yemenis and killed more than 1,500.

More... (http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2017/07/04/yeme-j04.html)

[ckaihatsu]

Sen. Manchin's Dem opponent slammed the Saudi war in Yemen


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Spread the news on Manchin.
Sign our petition against refueling Saudi warplanes. (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=HR1RiH434EcwkS83s%2FUakxrGl3ROv7uY)

The National Defense Authorization Act [NDAA] is expected on the House floor on or around Tuesday, July 11. We're pushing for a House floor vote on an NDAA amendment to block the U.S. refueling of Saudi warplanes bombing Yemen. The Rules Committee might only decide the day before which amendments will be allowed, and the floor voting on amendments might start on Tuesday morning. We might have less than 24 hours to rally support for our amendment between learning that it has been allowed and a floor vote.

So we're building support for our amendment now, ahead of the Rules Committee meeting. As we've said before, in order to win on the House floor, we need almost all Democrats and 20-25% of Republicans - like we got on the House vote last June (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=w0gvAwmUPepm%2BbrkP6WqWRrGl3ROv7uY) [1] on blocking the transfer of cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia. To get the Republicans we need, we're highlighting Republican opposition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Gv2pgyd6FB9rA8TqVRGVMRrGl3ROv7uY) to U.S. support for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen. [2]

To get almost all Democrats, it would help if we could show the worst Democrats in the House that voting against us isn't a freebie, that there could be unpleasant blowback from voting for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen. That's why the story of Joe Manchin, Paula Swearengin, and U.S. support for the Saudi war in Yemen is important.

Help spread the word about this by reading and sharing the Intercept article (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=6tP4CPnouQxf0VWgui5EbBrGl3ROv7uY) about Paula Swearengin's opposition to Manchin's vote for the Saudi war in Yemen.

Joe Manchin is a Democratic Senator from West Virginia. He's one of the worst Senate Democrats on our issues. He was one of four Senate Democrats who voted against the Iran nuclear deal. He was one of five Senate Democrats who voted on June 13 for Trump's Saudi arms deal. He's the only Senate Democrat who both voted against the Iran nuclear deal and voted for Trump's Saudi arms deal - a proxy vote on U.S. support for Saudi Arabia's war. Paula Swearengin is a West Virginia Democrat running against Joe Manchin for Senate. When Joe Manchin voted for Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen, Paula Swearengin slammed him for doing so (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=P95UEZdRqcE7Eu7e9AsF%2FRrGl3ROv7uY). [3]

When a Member of Congress is attacked for a vote by a primary opponent, people notice. House Democrats who vote for refueling Saudi bombers could face that kind of blowback too.

Read and share the Intercept article (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=bvyC0qh9uj82Vxdia0FK0xrGl3ROv7uY) about Paula Swearengin's opposition to Manchin's vote for the Saudi war in Yemen.

And if you haven't yet signed our new petition to Congress against U.S. refueling of Saudi warplanes bombing Yemen, please do that here (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=8p%2BS6nOCZu4CzKpLLLe1EBrGl3ROv7uY).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/obama-heeding-close-house_b_10516480.html
2. http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/yemens-cholera-epidemic-keeps-getting-worse/
3. https://theintercept.com/2017/06/19/joe-manchin-saudi-arabia-arms-primary-swearengin/

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[ckaihatsu]

The Henry Jackson Society said there was a 'clear and growing link' between Islamist organisations in receipt of overseas funds, hate preachers and Jihadist groups promoting violence.


More... (http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-40496778)

[ckaihatsu]

Tell Rules Cmte: Allow House votes on ending Saudi war in Yemen


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Urge Reps. Cole & Burgess to allow House votes on ending the Saudi war in Yemen.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=nHvJXwdrlfF1olEN7v2qZWq4XCehwxSg)


This week the House is considering amendments on the National Defense Authorization Act. The House Rules Committee will decide which amendments will receive House floor votes. Amendments have been offered which would end U.S. refueling of Saudi warplanes bombing Yemen [1], ban the transfer of cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia [2], and block U.S. weapons transfers to Saudi Arabia until it ends its blockade that is pushing Yemen into famine. [3]

Urge Rules Committee Republicans to allow floor votes on ending the Saudi war in Yemen by signing our petition at MoveOn. (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=TulgldlXl1vSTn9q0QLND2q4XCehwxSg)

Representative Tom Cole [R-OK-4] is Vice-Chair of the House Rules Committee. [4] Rep. Cole has been outspoken on the need for Congress to debate and vote on matters of war and peace. Rep. Cole has been an outspoken supporter of the Barbara Lee [D-CA] amendment to sunset the 2001 authorization of the use of force to compel the House leadership to allow a debate and vote on a new AUMF. [5]

Representative Michael Burgess [R-TX-26] is another Republican member of the House Rules Committee. [6] A doctor, he was the only Republican member of the Rules Committee who voted last year to bar the transfer of cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia. [7]

Urge Rep. Cole & Rep. Burgess to allow House votes on ending U.S. participation in the Saudi war in Yemen by signing and sharing our petition (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=MgCTRdsgTEHhlWbUjZtL8mq4XCehwxSg).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1.http://www.rules.house.gov/amendments/Khanna_001_xml76171528582858.pdf
2.http://www.rules.house.gov/amendments/AMASH_011_xml77171056555655.pdf
3.http://www.rules.house.gov/amendments/KHANNA_002_xml76171529362936.pdf
4.https://rules.house.gov/committee-rules-members
5.https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/support-protect-repbarbarale?r_by=1135580
6.https://rules.house.gov/committee-rules-members
7.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/obama-heeding-close-house_b_10516480.html

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[ckaihatsu]

via justforeignpolicy.org (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/)

The House is voting this week on amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act [NDAA]. Amendments have been proposed which would attack U.S. participation in the Saudi war in Yemen, which has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine.
See if your Rep. is a Republican Member of the House Rules Committee. They're going to have an outsized say on whether we'll get votes this week on ending U.S. participation in the Saudi war in Yemen, because the Rules Committee decides which NDAA amendments come up for a vote on the floor.
Call your Rep. now at (202) 224-3121. When you reach a staffer or leave a message, you can say something like:

"I urge you to support NDAA amendments in the Rules Committee to stop refueling Saudi warplanes bombing Yemen and to ban transferring cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia."
When you've made your call, please report it below.
And if you haven't yet signed our petition to Rules Committee Members urging them to allow these amendments, you can do that here (https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/tomcoleok04-michaelcburgess?r_by=1135580):
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More... (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/call-in-rules-repubs-ndaa)

[ckaihatsu]

via justforeignpolicy.org (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/)

Your Rep. is special - one of 31 Republicans who voted last year to ban the transfer of cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia who are still in the House. At the time, 200 Republicans voted to allow cluster bomb transfers to Saudi Arabia to continue. So, in the set of all Republicans, your Rep. was exceptional in their willingness to vote against Saudi Arabia.
Call your Rep. now at (202) 224-3121. When you reach a staffer or leave a message, you can say something like:
"I urge Rep. ______ to co-sponsor the bipartisan Khanna-Jones amendment to stop refueling Saudi warplanes bombing Yemeni civilians."
When you've made your call, please report it below.
And if you haven't signed our petition urging Rules Committee Republicans to allow votes on amendments against U.S. aid to the Saudi war in Yemen, please do that here (https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/rulesreps-let-the-house?r_by=1135580).
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More... (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/call-in-saudi-skeptic-cosponsor-khanna-jones)

[ckaihatsu]

via justforeignpolicy.org (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/)

Last night the House Rules Committee approved two amendments for votes today (https://rules.house.gov/bill/115/hr-2810) that fundamentally challenge U.S. participation in the Saudi war in Yemen.
The Davidson [R-OH] amendment prohibits U.S. military action not authorized by the 2001 AUMF. U.S. participation in the Saudi war in Yemen is not authorized by the 2001 AUMF. That would block the U.S. refueling of Saudi warplanes bombing Yemen.
The Nolan [D-MN] amendment prohibits the deployment of U.S. troops to participation in Yemen's civil war. That would block the U.S. refueling of Saudi warplanes bombing Yemen.
This devastating war, which was never authorized by Congress, has been going on for more than two years and has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine, with the worst cholera outbreak in the world, with the UN on the verge of giving up on vaccination against cholera in Yemen because of the war.
We've never had votes like this before in either chamber. We have no idea how it will go. Every Rep. needs to be called, whether they are Democrat or Republican, pro-Trump or anti-Trump.
Call your Rep. now at (202) 224-3121. When you reach a staffer or leave a message, you can say something like:

"I urge you to vote YES on the Davidson and Nolan amendments to prohibit U.S. participation in the unauthorized Saudi war in Yemen."
When you've made your call, please report it below.
Please forward this note to any contacts who might take action.
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More... (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/call-in-davidson-nolan-ndaa-yemen-amdts)

[ckaihatsu]

via wsws.org (http://www.wsws.org)

The war waged against Yemen by the Saudi monarchy, supported extensively by the US government, has produced a social catastrophe that easily ranks among the worst war crimes in modern history.

More... (http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2017/07/14/yeme-j14.html)

[ckaihatsu]

via justforeignpolicy.org (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/)

Just Foreign Policy Welcomes House Rejection of Saudi-UAE War in Yemen

- Calls on President Trump to Heed House Votes on Davidson, Nolan NDAA Provisions and End Refueling of Saudi, UAE Planes Bombing Yemen
- Urges Senate to Adopt Davidson, Nolan Prohibitions on U.S. Participation in Saudi-UAE War in Yemen
- Urges Congress to Explicitly Prohibit U.S. Refueling of Saudi, UAE Planes Bombing Yemen

July 14, 2017

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved two amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act [NDAA] that would prohibit U.S. participation in the catastrophic Saudi-UAE war against the Houthi-Saleh alliance in Yemen.

Just Foreign Policy welcomes the House votes repudiating U.S. participation in the Saudi-UAE war in Yemen, calls on President Trump to immediately end the U.S. refueling of Saudi and UAE warplanes bombing Yemen, calls on the Senate to adopt the Davidson and Nolan provisions in the Senate version of NDAA, and calls on Congress to explicitly prohibit the U.S. refueling of Saudi and UAE warplanes bombing Yemen.

read more (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/node/1766)


More... (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/node/1766)

[ckaihatsu]

via justforeignpolicy.org (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/)

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to prohibit U.S. participation in the Saudi-UAE war in Yemen (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/node/1766), when it passed the Davidson and Nolan amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act [NDAA].
Support the House action by signing our petition at MoveOn (https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/we-thank-the-house-for-1?r_by=1135580).
The Davidson [R-OH] amendment (http://amendments-rules.house.gov/amendments/DAVIOH_020_xml%20(7)712171724502450.pdf) prohibits U.S. military action in Yemen not authorized by the 2001 AUMF. U.S. participation in the Saudi-UAE war in Yemen is not targeting Al Qaeda or ISIS and is not authorized by the 2001 AUMF. Davidson's amendment would block the U.S. refueling of Saudi and UAE warplanes bombing Yemen.
The Nolan [D-MN] amendment (http://amendments-rules.house.gov/amendments/NOLAN_046_xml712171116271627.pdf) prohibits the deployment of U.S. troops to participation in Yemen's civil war. Nolan's amendment would block the U.S. refueling of Saudi and UAE warplanes bombing Yemen.
Tell your representatives in Washington that you support the House action and that U.S. participation in Saudi Arabia's Yemen war should end immediately by signing our petition at MoveOn (https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/we-thank-the-house-for-1?r_by=1135580).


More... (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/alert-thank-house-nolan-davidson-amendments)

[ckaihatsu]

You did it! House adopts amendments on Yemen.


Win Without War


Chris,

Thank you so much for taking action to protect civilians in Yemen. We are happy to announce that moments ago, the US House of Representatives adopted both of the amendments that you lobbied for. If fully implemented, these amendments would effectively limit US military involvement in Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen to the pursuit of terrorists groups affiliated with al-Qaeda.

In the coming weeks we will need you to keep up the pressure to ensure the Senate adopts similar measures during their own budget process. But for today, we want to say thank you to all of the activists who have worked on this issue with us over the last several months. This is an unprecedented victory in the fight to stop one of the worst war fueled humanitarian disasters in decades. One made possible thanks to you and the thousands of other Win Without War members who reached out to Congress this week and got their attention.

We are gaining powerful momentum and we will not stop until we end US involvement in this disastrous war once and for all. We are honored to stand with all of you.

Thank you for working for peace,

Amy, Mariam, Ben, and the Win Without War team







Donate (https://secure.actblue.com/donate/winwithoutwar?refcode=emfooter&t=1&akid=676.338488.TooTU3)


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Win Without War is a project of the Center for International Policy.
2000 M Street NW, Suite 720, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 232-3317 | [email protected]

This email was sent to [email protected] Email is the most important way for us to reach you about opportunities to act. If you need to remove yourself from our email list, click here to unsubscribe.

[ckaihatsu]

via justforeignpolicy.org (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/)

As you know, on July 14 the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly (http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/41278-us-house-votes-to-block-us-participation-in-saudi-war-in-yemen) to prohibit U.S. military participation in the Saudi-UAE war in Yemen, when it passed the Davidson and Nolan amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act [NDAA].
So far, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and NPR have failed to report this news. The Los Angeles Times reported in an editorial (http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ed-yemen-20170715-story.html) that "the House of Representatives passed several amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act that call for greater congressional oversight on how U.S. weapons are being used in Yemen," but failed to note that the House passed two amendments that prohibit U.S. military participation in Saudi Arabia's Yemen war. Current U.S. military participation includes refueling the Saudi and UAE warplanes (https://theintercept.com/2017/07/13/u-s-doubled-fuel-support-for-saudi-bombing-campaign-in-yemen-after-deadly-strike-on-funeral/) that are bombing Yemen.
Urge the NYT, WaPo, and NPR not to censor the news that the House has voted against U.S. participation in the Saudi war in Yemen by signing our petition at MoveOn (https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/nytimes-washingtonpost?r_by=1135580).


More... (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/alert-nyt-wapo-npr-report-house-vote-yemen)

[ckaihatsu]

via justforeignpolicy.org (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/)

UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed has announced a plan to remove the governorate of Hodeida from the Yemeni civil war. The plan includes (https://www.yemenpeaceproject.org/blog-x/2017/7/18/un-special-envoy-releases-details-of-plan-for-hudaydah) a ceasefire for the port, including the halt of any attacks on the port by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates [UAE].
The UN-recognized Yemeni government and Egypt have reportedly announced their support for the plan, but the United States, a key party to the conflict (https://theintercept.com/2017/07/13/u-s-doubled-fuel-support-for-saudi-bombing-campaign-in-yemen-after-deadly-strike-on-funeral/) because of its refueling of Saudi and UAE warplanes bombing Yemen, has not yet publicly stated its support. As Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy has said (http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/06/24/534236954/yemen-now-faces-the-worst-cholera-outbreak-in-the-world-u-n-says), "The Saudis simply could not operate this bombing campaign without us. Their planes can't fly without US refueling capacity."
Urge Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the UN, to publicly state US support for the UN Envoy's plan to save Hodeida and Yemen from famine by signing our petition at MoveOn (https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/nikkihaley-back-un-envoy?r_by=1135580).


More... (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/alert-haley-un-hodeida-ceasefire)

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via socialistproject.ca (http://www.socialistproject.ca[/url)



More... (http://socialistproject.ca/toons/Saudis-cholera.jpg)

[ckaihatsu]

via investigaction.net (http://www.investigaction.net/en/)

The manipulation of news and the distortion of reality are the most powerful weapons in the hands of power.  They can make a whole reality disappear. Yemen’s, for example.   A […]

More... (http://www.investigaction.net/en/yemen-the-war-that-isnt-happening-even-as-its-happening/)

[ckaihatsu]

Ben Cardin's pro-settlements bill could criminalize sanctions on Saudi Arabia


Just Foreign Policy


Don't let Ben Cardin
prohibit sanctions against
Saudi Arabia.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=9fRGP2EfvzqSojcax1SFt6xm5vuC9UUF)


Dear Chris,

A few days ago, we alerted you to the opposition of the ACLU and MoveOn to Senator Ben Cardin's bill to criminalize boycotts and sanctions against Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Here are some updates:

Rep. Joe Kennedy said he is reviewing his support for the bill in light of the ACLU's opposition. [1] Sen. Maggie Hassan defended her support of the bill, while Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said she was considering First Amendment concerns raised about the legislation. [2] J Street weighed in by urging Senators and Reps. not to co-sponsor or otherwise support the legislation unless and until the ACLU concerns were resolved. [3] Jewish Voice for Peace challenged Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on her support for the bill; Gillibrand acknowledged the First Amendment concerns about the bill and said she planned to meet with the ACLU. [4]

Finally, Josh Israel at Think Progress noted another alarming feature of Cardin's bill: it doesn't just protect Israeli settlements in the West Bank. It prohibits Americans from "requesting the imposition of any boycott by a foreign country against a country which is friendly to the United States." [5] Since many people in Washington inexplicably claim that Saudi Arabia is "friendly to the United States," Cardin's bill could be interpreted to prohibit supporting boycott or sanctions against Saudi Arabia for deliberately pushing Yemen into famine, or for its support of extremism, or for prohibiting women from driving.

If you haven't yet signed and shared our petition against the Cardin bill, please do it now (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=oHCC2NMPfbhPt2b4GIHxsaxm5vuC9UUF).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2017/07/19/rep-joe-kennedy-iii-reviewing-controversial-israel-anti-boycott-bill-he-supports-following-aclu-concerns
2. http://www.vnews.com/Israel-Boycott-Bill-In-Congress-11374160
3. https://theintercept.com/2017/07/20/j-street-a-reliable-foe-of-bds-urges-congress-to-oppose-israel-anti-boycott-act-for-now/
4. https://twitter.com/jvpliveny/status/888764719217115136
5. https://thinkprogress.org/free-speech-senators-israel-boycott-felony-d99b2ee5a14d








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[ckaihatsu]

via justforeignpolicy.org (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/)

The House is now considering amendments to the Department of Defense Appropriation. The House Rules Committee (https://rules.house.gov/committee-rules-members) will decide which amendments will get House floor votes.
Five amendments have been submitted to the Rules Committee that would prohibit or limit U.S. military participation in the Saudi war in Yemen or would limit the transfer of weapons to the Saudi war in Yemen, including explicit prohibition of the refueling of Saudi and UAE planes bombing Yemen (https://rules.house.gov/bill/115/hr-3219) and prohibition of the transfer of cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia.
Urge Republicans on the House Rules Committee to allow House votes on ending and limiting U.S. participation in the Saudi war in Yemen by signing our petition at MoveOn (https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/rulesreps-let-the-house?r_by=1135580).


More... (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/alert-defense-approps-rules-2017)

[ckaihatsu]

via wsws.org (http://www.wsws.org)

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states play a vital role in funding Islamist groups that provide essential proxy forces for the imperialist powers in Libya, Iraq and Syria.

More... (http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2017/07/25/saud-j25.html)

[ckaihatsu]

A day ago, a Saudi jet fired on a convoy of cars in Mawzaa district, Yemen. The strike is reported to have killed at least twenty civilians, many from the same family.


More... (http://www.alternet.org/world/yemen-worlds-largest-humanitarian-crisis)

[ckaihatsu]

'The first duty in this joint effort,' President Trump said in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 21st, 'is for your nations to deny all territory to the foot soldiers of evil.'


More... (https://www.viewpointmag.com/2017/07/25/the-yemen-primer-a-history-of-violence-for-anti-violence)

[ckaihatsu]

via justforeignpolicy.org (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/)

Last week, efforts to get a floor vote in the House on U.S. participation in the Saudi-UAE famine-war in Yemen on the Defense Appropriation were blocked by the House Republican leadership.
There's only one path left to force a floor vote in the House on U.S. participation in the Saudi famine-war: press House Members to use their Congressional war powers to force a debate and vote on withdrawing unauthorized U.S. participation from Saudi Arabia's war - just as Dennis Kucinich

[ckaihatsu]

via justforeignpolicy.org (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/)

More than a million malnourished children are living in areas of Yemen hit hardest by a cholera outbreak, NPR reports. Malnourished children have substantially reduced immune systems and are at least three times more likely to die if they contract cholera. Yemen's cholera outbreak is already the world's worst in a single year since records have been kept. Treatment for cholera in Yemen would be straightforward, if it weren't for the U.S.-enabled Saudi-UAE war in Yemen.
UNICEF director Anthony Lake was clear when asked by The Associated Press about how to end the disaster: "Stop the war (http://www.npr.org/2017/08/02/541181026/one-million-malnourished-children-at-risk-of-cholera-in-yemen)."
So far, the House Republican leadership has blocked a floor vote on ending U.S. participation in Saudi Arabia's Yemen war. But House Members could force a floor vote (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/crs/RL31185.pdf) by invoking their Congressional war powers, since, as Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Corker has acknowledged (http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/03/congress-raise-alarm-us-confrontation-yemen-houthis.html), Congress never authorized this war.
Urge House Members to force a floor vote on the war to help save a million kids by signing our petition at MoveOn (https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/force-vote-on-saudi-war?r_by=1135580).


More... (http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/alert-one-million-malnourished-kids-yemen)

[ckaihatsu]

Senate: Back Young, Merkley to Stop Arming Saudi War Crimes in Yemen


Just Foreign Policy


Dear Chris,

Urge Senators to back Young & Merkley amendments to stop arming Saudi war crimes in Yemen.

Take Action (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Ij%2F6PNQER5zfw%2BD%2Fa7i%2BqfwBM6dInjmA)


Yesterday, at least three women and six children from the same family were killed in an air attack by Saudi-led forces on their home in northern Yemen. A relative said the attack happened while the family slept. [1] U.S. arming of Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen could make the U.S. a co-belligerent in international law and make U.S. officials liable for Saudi war crimes. [2] Because of the Saudi war and blockade, [3] a million malnourished children in Yemen are at risk from cholera; malnourished children, with weakened immune systems, are three times more likely to die if they contract cholera. [4] Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen isn't just fueling the worst cholera outbreak on record and pushing Yemen into famine; Saudi Arabia's war is also helping Al Qaeda. [5]

Senator Todd Young [R-IN] and Senator Jeff Merkey [D-OR] have introduced amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act [NDAA] that would block the arming of Saudi Arabia's war crimes in Yemen. Senator Young's amendment would prohibit any arms transfers to Saudi Arabia until the Saudis stop bombing hospitals and stop blocking humanitarian aid. [6] Senator Merkley's amendment would prohibit the transfer of cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia. [7]

Urge your Senators to publicly back the Young and Merkley amendments to stop arming Saudi Arabia's war crimes in Yemen by signing our petition at MoveOn (http://org.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=93NC3j5pEHJCeEkPt9qHhGWZIgdAXJDR).

Thanks for all you do to help make U.S. foreign policy more just,

Robert Naiman, Avram Reisman, and Sarah Burns
Just Foreign Policy

If you think our work is important, support us with a $17 donation.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate

References:
1. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/08/saada-saudi-led-air-strike-kills-family-members-170805042008262.html; https://news.trust.org/item/20170804122603-d5azr
2. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-saudi-yemen-idUSKCN12A0BQ
3. https://maritime-executive.com/article/un-blockade-threatens-to-push-yemen-into-famine
4. http://www.npr.org/2017/08/02/541181026/one-million-malnourished-children-at-risk-of-cholera-in-yemen
5. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/al-qaeda-group-leader-claims-fighting-alongside-us-backed-coalition-forces-yemen-a7713321.html; http://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/yemen-aqap/
6. https://www.congress.gov/amendment/115th-congress/senate-amendment/585/text
7. https://www.congress.gov/amendment/115th-congress/senate-amendment/661/text

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