The crime of all crimes?

The Israeli Government's response to the Hamas attack of October 7 is unconscionable. A staggering 1.9 million Palestinians have been displaced, and now the people of Gaza have nowhere left to flee. They face annihilation or forced expulsion.

The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel's actions plausibly constitute the crime of all crimes: genocide.

Who we are

Rural Australians for Refugees - Southern Highlands (RARsh) cares and advocates for refugees and asylum seekers in Gundungurra Country (the Southern Highlands) and beyond. As members of a global community we are driven by our responsibilities to international law and humanity, and by our compassion for those suffering from injustice.

About the Vigil

Since 21 October RARsh has held Vigil, every Saturday, in solidarity with Palestinians who are once again the victims of war and violence.

Our weekly Vigil encourages our community in the Highlands to understand and oppose this injustice, and Australia's complicity in it.

Rural and regional Australia will not stand idly by. We support our brothers and sisters who march and rally in greater numbers in capital cities, and raise our voices for peace in the smaller towns and regions. We link arms and stand firmly for humanity, compassion and justice.

Who is it for?

We welcome everyone, especially Palestinian and Jewish people from our community. We stand against Islamophobia, antisemitism, anti-Palestinianism, and racism of all kinds, and in solidarity with oppressed people everywhere.

There's no need to register for a ticket - we just use this listing to share information.

We look forward to meeting you. Please join us, and bring signs if you can:

Permanent ceasefire now

Re-fund UNRWA

Increase humanitarian aid

End the siege of Gaza

Save Rafah

Stop arming Israel

End the occupation

Stop the killing

Free Palestine.