US is considering airdrops of aid into Gaza. My statement:

"Oxfam does not support US airdrops to Gaza, which would mostly serve to relieve the guilty consciences of senior US officials whose policies are contributing to the ongoing atrocities and risk of famine in Gaza.

1/ While Palestinians in Gaza have been pushed to the absolute brink, dropping a paltry, symbolic amount of aid into Gaza with no plan for its safe distribution would not help and be deeply degrading to Palestinians.

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Big #Yemen news today: President Biden pauses arms sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE. Important detail: this will cover "billions" in Trump admin sales. That means not just the recently announced, not yet licensed sales.

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wsj.com/articles/biden… It'd be unusual for a President to cancel sales for which export licenses had been issued, but these were no ordinary sales. These were arms being used in conflict, in violation of laws of war, fueling famine and insecurity, with no political strategy in sight.

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Today the Trump Administration’s reckless, pointless, heartless terrorism designations of Ansar Allah go into effect. A brief summary of what’s happened already, what happens today, and what comes next.

THREAD

1/ What’s happened already: banks and exporters wasted no time in accounting for the coming designations. They have already started to end business relationships with Yemen, its companies, and its people.

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As has been widely reported, Sec. Pompeo is moving to designate the Houthis in #Yemen as a terrorist organization. I can’t stress enough how damaging that decision would be – but I’m going to try.

THREAD

1/ First, let’s say one thing plainly: the Houthis, like all parties in Yemen, have committed absolutely despicable acts. The victims and survivors of this conflict, including of the Houthis, deserve justice.

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THREAD

Today @JustSecurity, a deep dive into the warped humanitarian justifications for USAID’s suspension of aid in the world’s largest humanitarian crisis (#Yemen) amidst a terrifying pandemic 1/

justsecurity.org/71576/usaid-ha… Aid is critical in Yemen. The band-aid metaphor doesn’t do it justice. Aid is more like a blood transfusion – necessary to keep the patient alive even if not substantial enough to heal (only a political settlement and economic revival can do that) 2/

On my way home from Yemen with one, clear message: to save lives, stop fueling the war. Congress needs to do that now.

THREAD In case you missed it, Yemen is on the brink of a famine the likes of which none of us have ever witnessed. There’s no drought, typhoon, or earthquake causing this crisis – just naked lust for power.

The dysfunction of US #Yemen policy all rolled up into one staggering piece of journalism. Some key additional points for context:

https://twitter.com/DionNissenbaum/status/1042738818753998850

1. The winning argument- that failure to certify endangers arms sales- is not only depraved, it's also leg affairs malpractice. Congress now doubts Sec Pompeo's good faith and any administration efforts to improve things in Yemen. That makes them MORE likely to block sales