# Why did Australia give visas to Israeli soldiers but not Bassem Youssef?

https://mins.news/en/item/37675

- Al Jazeera, 2026-08-30 14:50 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/8/30/30-08-sydney-marathon-israeli-soldiers-idf-fm?traffic_source=rss

> Australia’s government is under pressure to explain why it admitted dozens of Israeli soldiers for the Sydney Marathon despite obligations under international law. Some critics describe the decision as a betrayal, while questions are also being raised over Bassem Youssef’s exclusion.

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