News
12 February, 2026
Regional Australians ‘angry and ashamed’ over Herzog visit: Champion
People in regional Australia are “angry and ashamed” that Australia has rolled out the ‘red carpet’ to Israel president Isaac Herzog according to Wingecarribee Shire councillor Heather Champion.
People in regional Australia are “angry and ashamed” that Australia has rolled out the ‘red carpet’ to Israel president Isaac Herzog according to Wingecarribee Shire councillor Heather Champion.
Cr Champion – wearing the black and white scarf which has become a marker of Palestinian resistance – joined protests in Moss Vale’s main street this week.
In a Facebook post this week Cr Champion said she felt “so proud” joining people in Moss Vale protesting the Herzog visit.
“Herzog has presided over a genocide in Gaza,” Cr Champion said.
“There is blood on his hands but (Anthony Albanese) and (Chris Minns) have rolled out the red carpet.
“Regional Australia is angry and ashamed.”
Cr Champion expressed solidarity for protestors in Sydney “who were so brave despite being violently attacked by police” and thanked Palestine Action Southern Highlands (PASH) for bringing people together at a local level.
She also posted a video to Facebook of a speech she made to PASH supporters.
Cr Champion said Herzog had “normalised collective punishment” and was “comfortable” with the death of 70,000 Palestinians.
“The only conclusion we can draw is that our government has chosen to abandon any pretence of ethics and responsibility and ignore their international legal obligations,” Cr Champion said.
“I am chilled and horrified that we need to be here today but there is courage here in our regional towns.”
She also paid tribute to the members of PASH who have been protesting in the same spot in Moss Vale for more than two years.
“I’m proud this is what our community looks like,” she said.
“People who have had the clarity and compassion to call for an end to the genocide, an end to the occupation and for peace and justice in Palestine.”
She said the Australian Government had been “dismissive” and the NSW Government had done its best to “crush” controversial Sydney rallies.
“The real function of this visit is to erode our collective sense of what’s right,” Cr Champion said.
“To reduce our moral standards and teach us to tolerate the intolerable.
“No matter how hard they try to keep us off the streets we will defend our right to protest.
“And we will not be complicit by becoming silent bystanders,” Cr Champion said.
“We will continue to show up.”
· Tell us what you think. Email senior reporter Stuart Carless at sc@thesouthernwire.com.au with the clear understanding that anything defamatory or considered hate speech will be ignored.
Read More: Moss Vale, Southern Highlands