REFUSING WAR
Since 2003, when the war in Iraq broke out, Payday has organized or joined a number of international campaigns working with some organisations in the Global Women's Strike (GWS) to support soldiers and conscientious objectors who refuse to fight or men and women who refuse conscription.
We have supported individual campaigns in many countries including Turkey, Greece, Israel the US and the UK. These campaigns were almost always led by women - partners, mothers, sisters, relatives. For many years, with Queer Strike, we joined an international and successful campaign to free Chelsea Manning, a transexual army analyst who leaked thousands of classified military files to Wikileaks.
We have also worked to defeat legislations that punish refuseniks or that exonerate war crimes. We have also opposed rape within the military and military families as well as the mistreatment of soldiers and veterans.
FOR MORE INFORMATION on our support to past campaigns by & with refuseniks, visit www.refusingtokill.net, our former website. For an overview, watch our 2005 video Refusing to Kill - Refuseniks around the world speak out
By Palestinian and anti genocide organisations in Italy
On 11 February 2024, there was a demonstration in Feltre, a 22,000 people small town in North East Italy. 400 people marched under the driving rain with the banner from Palestinian Community that reads: “The last day of the occupation will be the first day of freedom”.
By Payday
Payday joined the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network’s weekly picket at the Israeli ambassador’s residence in London. We publicised the campaign of support of Israeli refuser Tal Mitnick initiated by War Resisters International. Send a message to him!
By War Resisters International
Tal Mitnick was first imprisoned for 30 days on 26 December 2023, becoming the first Israeli conscientious objector imprisoned for their refusal to serve in the army since the start of the war in Gaza. On 23 January 2024, he was detained again.
By Payday
Israeli critic Meir Baruchin reinstated after he was sacked and detained for posts on social media criticising the military and the occupation. A defeat for the Israeli state who wanted to make an example of him.
By Payday
Atalya Ben Abab spoke of her refusal after 4 months in jail. Sofia Orr’s refusal to be part of the IDF was broadcasted on Al Jazeera on 30 December 2023. She has received death threats and rape threats for her position. We must defend her.
By Payday
Connecting refuseniks in Israel with refuseniks in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, part of the week of action of the #ObjectWarCampaign
By Payday
The protest will highlight the #ObjectWarCampaign’s demands for asylum and protection to conscientious objectors and deserters from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine and our support to refusers from Israel who oppose occupation, apartheid and genocide.
By Shaun Walker, The Guardian
The Ukrainian government is planning to change its conscription practices as it seeks to sustain fighting capacity after nearly two years of full-fledged war with Russia.