Israeli soldiers run in Sydney Marathon amid visa protests

Protesters gathered outside the Australian embassy in Melbourne on Thursday, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans that criticized the government for granting visas to 40 Israeli soldiers. The demonstration was part of a broader campaign by local advocacy groups urging the Australian government to reconsider its policy of allowing foreign military personnel to enter the country for training and operational support.

The 40 soldiers, who are part of a joint training exercise with the Australian Defence Force, received visas under a bilateral security agreement that has been in place for several years. Critics argue that the visas facilitate the transfer of advanced military technology and tactics to a nation that has been involved in ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The Australian government has defended the arrangement as a legitimate component of its defense cooperation strategy, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong security ties with Israel.

The protestors called for a review of the visa policy and urged the government to adopt a more transparent and accountable approach to foreign military access. While the Australian authorities have not announced any immediate changes, the demonstration underscores growing domestic pressure to reassess the country’s military collaboration with Israel.