To: The United States House of Representatives and The United States Senate

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

Oppose any arms deal with the UAE until the UAE agrees to a ceasefire at Hodeida to protect Yemen from famine.

Why is this important?

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 sale. This proposed arms deal gives Congress a unique opportunity to pressure the UAE.

The UAE has been a key participant in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, which has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine. [2] 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." [3] 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. [4]

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 due to the Saudi-led war and blockade on Yemen.

Urge Congress to introduce and support a resolution of disapproval against the UAE arms deal unless and until the UAE agrees to a famine-averting ceasefire at Hodeida by signing our petition.

References:
1. http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/11/politics/us-2-billion-arms-sale-uae/
2. http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-approves-2bn-missile-sale-uae-842404197
3. 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
4. http://pocan.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-group-of-16-lawmakers-threaten-to-block-us-military