Call your Congress people today. We cannot let the administration use false threats of an Iranian military to continue to fuel the world’s worst humanitarian crisis in Yemen and create a new war. Tell Congress to ban weapon sales to Saudi Arabia in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.
Towards peace,
Connect the Dots.
1. Trump withdrew the US from the Joint Treaty with Iran whereby the signatories agreed to end the embargo on Iran if Iran would not increase its nuclear material production to bomb level amounts. This, in spite of the fact that UN inspectors and even US intelligence assured us that Iran was indeed keeping its part of the bargain. Trump disparaged the Treaty as a “Bad Deal” made by Obama/Kerry.
2. Israel (Netanyahu) didn’t like the treaty because it fears Iran and wants to destroy any Iranian nuclear operations even though according to International Law any country has the right to peaceful nuclear capabilities.
3. The Trump administration has been positively sycophant like in its support of Israel’s occupation and illegal annexation of Palestinian lands and the Golan Heights, even moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem.
4. The Trump administration has continued to sell the Saudis high grade weaponry in spite of the Saudi’s human rights record, including the assassination of a Journalist and its indiscriminate bombing of Yemen.
5. All of this fits into Trump’s national security advisor John Bolton’s long term dream of war with Iran. Likewise, Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State.
6. Vague reports of Iranian mischief are being circulated by US officials with no direct evidence. “Remember the Maine?”
7. And now Code Pink reports 12 Yemeni Civilians (including 7 children) are dead via Saudi’s — day after day.
Below is the Code Pink letter.
The Saudis just killed 12 Yemeni civilians, including 7 children, and now the Trump administration wants to sell them more weapons. In a reckless attempt to bypass Congress and stir up conflict with Iran, the Trump administration declared a fake emergency to justify selling $8 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Congress can counter this by putting a ban on weapons sales to Saudi Arabia in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. Tell Congress to act now to stop this sale.
The last few weeks have made it clear that members of the Trump administration, specifically National Security Advisor John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, are manufacturing an emergency to build a case for war with Iran. The latest move in their maximum pressure campaign is to say these weapon sales are critical for the Saudis to defend themselves against Iran.
The administration wants to do an end-run around Congress because members of Congress, angry about the huge civilian toll from the air campaign in Yemen and the Saudis gross human rights abuses at home, have been blocking military sales for months. Trump and his advisors know that Congress would disapprove of selling more weapons to Saudi, that’s why they are calling a national emergency to do so.
The Trump administration is setting a dangerous precedent by selling weapons without congressional approval. Congress has the sole constitutional authority to declare war and it has been a longstanding practice that Congress has a role in approving or blocking overseas arms sales. Congress can — and must — stand up to the administration before it’s too late.
Saudi Arabia already spends more per capita on weapons than any country and we see how they use them to kill innocent children. And now, with Pompeo and Bolton threatening war with Iran, a regional rival of the Saudis, selling more weapons to the Saudis will also escalate the seething tensions between the U.S. and Iran. This massive arms sale will lead to even more regional instability and a possible war with Iran. We must hold the line for peace with Iran, sending Saudis more bombs is fuel on a fire that Bolton wants to combust.
We cannot let the administration use false threats of an Iranian military to continue to fuel the world’s worst humanitarian crisis in Yemen and create a new war. Tell Congress to ban weapon sales to Saudi Arabia in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.
Towards peace,
Ann, Ariel Carley, Clara, Jodie, Kelly, Kirsten, Lau, Lily, Maya, Mark, Medea, Nancy, Paki, Ryan, Sarah, Tighe, Ursula, and Zena
