Members of the British peace group Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) protest U.K. arms sales to Saudi Arabia, which is leading a war in Yemen that has killed over 200,000 people directly or indirectly, according to the United Nations. (Photo: CAAT/Creative Commons)
After Biden Move, Anti-War Groups Call on Boris Johnson to End UK Support for Saudi Assault on Yemen
"Johnson and Raab have blood on their hands. Their support for the carnage in Yemen must end immediately."
Buoyed by President Joe Biden's announced decision to limit U.S. involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, U.K. peace activists on Friday renewed calls for the British government to stop selling weapons to Saudi Arabia.
"Saudi-led forces have killed thousands of civilians... No matter how dire the crisis has become, they have been able to count on the uncritical political and military support of the U.K. government."
--Sarah Waldron, CAAT
The Stop the War Coalition called Biden's move "a welcome change to U.S. foreign policy," and the group's convener, Lindsey German, said that Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab should now follow his lead.
German accused both Johnson and Raab of having "blood on their hands" in what the United Nations has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
"Their support for the carnage in Yemen," said German, "must end immediately."
The group said the ongoing U.K. backing for the Saudis is shameful and that an "overwhelming majority" of people "on both sides of the Atlantic" oppose the ongoing arms sales fueling the war.
On Friday, the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) also published a statement calling on Britain to follow Biden's lead and stop supporting the war.
"Since the bombing of Yemen began in March 2015, the U.K. has licensed at least PS5.4 billion [$7.4 billion] worth of arms to the Saudi regime," said CAAT, including warplanes, helicopters, drones, missiles, bombs, and other armaments.
In addition to providing technical and logistical support for the Saudi-led war effort, British arms manufacturers profit handsomely from the conflict that has claimed an estimated 233,000 lives from direct and indirect causes, according to the U.N.
Sarah Waldron of CAAT said that Biden's move "puts the spotlight firmly on to the U.K. government and companies that have armed, supported, and enabled the brutal bombardment."
"Saudi-led forces have killed thousands of civilians and bombed schools, hospitals, and homes," said Waldron. "No matter how dire the crisis has become, they have been able to count on the uncritical political and military support of the U.K. government."
"That support must end, and so must... the arms sales that have done so much damage," she added.
The activists' calls were echoed by Lisa Nandy, the Labour shadow foreign secretary, who said Friday that "the government's support for Saudi campaign in Yemen is not only morally wrong but increasingly leaves Britain isolated on the world stage."
"President Biden's decision to end U.S. support for operations in Yemen shows just how far global opinion has shifted and leaves the U.K. worryingly out of step with our allies."
--Lisa Nandy,
Labour shadow foreign secretary
"President Biden's decision to end U.S. support for operations in Yemen shows just how far global opinion has shifted and leaves the U.K. worryingly out of step with our allies," said Nandy. "Ministers must now take long overdue action to stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia and end the U.K.'s role in a conflict which has caused the world's worst humanitarian crisis."
Leading weapons-manufacturing nations including Italy and Germany have ended or significantly limited arms sales to the Saudi-led coalition, while others including Canada and France have continued to profit from the war.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
Buoyed by President Joe Biden's announced decision to limit U.S. involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, U.K. peace activists on Friday renewed calls for the British government to stop selling weapons to Saudi Arabia.
"Saudi-led forces have killed thousands of civilians... No matter how dire the crisis has become, they have been able to count on the uncritical political and military support of the U.K. government."
--Sarah Waldron, CAAT
The Stop the War Coalition called Biden's move "a welcome change to U.S. foreign policy," and the group's convener, Lindsey German, said that Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab should now follow his lead.
German accused both Johnson and Raab of having "blood on their hands" in what the United Nations has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
"Their support for the carnage in Yemen," said German, "must end immediately."
The group said the ongoing U.K. backing for the Saudis is shameful and that an "overwhelming majority" of people "on both sides of the Atlantic" oppose the ongoing arms sales fueling the war.
On Friday, the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) also published a statement calling on Britain to follow Biden's lead and stop supporting the war.
"Since the bombing of Yemen began in March 2015, the U.K. has licensed at least PS5.4 billion [$7.4 billion] worth of arms to the Saudi regime," said CAAT, including warplanes, helicopters, drones, missiles, bombs, and other armaments.
In addition to providing technical and logistical support for the Saudi-led war effort, British arms manufacturers profit handsomely from the conflict that has claimed an estimated 233,000 lives from direct and indirect causes, according to the U.N.
Sarah Waldron of CAAT said that Biden's move "puts the spotlight firmly on to the U.K. government and companies that have armed, supported, and enabled the brutal bombardment."
"Saudi-led forces have killed thousands of civilians and bombed schools, hospitals, and homes," said Waldron. "No matter how dire the crisis has become, they have been able to count on the uncritical political and military support of the U.K. government."
"That support must end, and so must... the arms sales that have done so much damage," she added.
The activists' calls were echoed by Lisa Nandy, the Labour shadow foreign secretary, who said Friday that "the government's support for Saudi campaign in Yemen is not only morally wrong but increasingly leaves Britain isolated on the world stage."
"President Biden's decision to end U.S. support for operations in Yemen shows just how far global opinion has shifted and leaves the U.K. worryingly out of step with our allies."
--Lisa Nandy,
Labour shadow foreign secretary
"President Biden's decision to end U.S. support for operations in Yemen shows just how far global opinion has shifted and leaves the U.K. worryingly out of step with our allies," said Nandy. "Ministers must now take long overdue action to stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia and end the U.K.'s role in a conflict which has caused the world's worst humanitarian crisis."
Leading weapons-manufacturing nations including Italy and Germany have ended or significantly limited arms sales to the Saudi-led coalition, while others including Canada and France have continued to profit from the war.
Buoyed by President Joe Biden's announced decision to limit U.S. involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, U.K. peace activists on Friday renewed calls for the British government to stop selling weapons to Saudi Arabia.
"Saudi-led forces have killed thousands of civilians... No matter how dire the crisis has become, they have been able to count on the uncritical political and military support of the U.K. government."
--Sarah Waldron, CAAT
The Stop the War Coalition called Biden's move "a welcome change to U.S. foreign policy," and the group's convener, Lindsey German, said that Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab should now follow his lead.
German accused both Johnson and Raab of having "blood on their hands" in what the United Nations has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
"Their support for the carnage in Yemen," said German, "must end immediately."
The group said the ongoing U.K. backing for the Saudis is shameful and that an "overwhelming majority" of people "on both sides of the Atlantic" oppose the ongoing arms sales fueling the war.
On Friday, the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) also published a statement calling on Britain to follow Biden's lead and stop supporting the war.
"Since the bombing of Yemen began in March 2015, the U.K. has licensed at least PS5.4 billion [$7.4 billion] worth of arms to the Saudi regime," said CAAT, including warplanes, helicopters, drones, missiles, bombs, and other armaments.
In addition to providing technical and logistical support for the Saudi-led war effort, British arms manufacturers profit handsomely from the conflict that has claimed an estimated 233,000 lives from direct and indirect causes, according to the U.N.
Sarah Waldron of CAAT said that Biden's move "puts the spotlight firmly on to the U.K. government and companies that have armed, supported, and enabled the brutal bombardment."
"Saudi-led forces have killed thousands of civilians and bombed schools, hospitals, and homes," said Waldron. "No matter how dire the crisis has become, they have been able to count on the uncritical political and military support of the U.K. government."
"That support must end, and so must... the arms sales that have done so much damage," she added.
The activists' calls were echoed by Lisa Nandy, the Labour shadow foreign secretary, who said Friday that "the government's support for Saudi campaign in Yemen is not only morally wrong but increasingly leaves Britain isolated on the world stage."
"President Biden's decision to end U.S. support for operations in Yemen shows just how far global opinion has shifted and leaves the U.K. worryingly out of step with our allies."
--Lisa Nandy,
Labour shadow foreign secretary
"President Biden's decision to end U.S. support for operations in Yemen shows just how far global opinion has shifted and leaves the U.K. worryingly out of step with our allies," said Nandy. "Ministers must now take long overdue action to stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia and end the U.K.'s role in a conflict which has caused the world's worst humanitarian crisis."
Leading weapons-manufacturing nations including Italy and Germany have ended or significantly limited arms sales to the Saudi-led coalition, while others including Canada and France have continued to profit from the war.