Protests Erupt in Sydney as Israeli Soldiers Participate in Marathon Amid Visa Scrutiny

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered along the course of the Sydney Marathon to protest the participation of Israeli soldiers in the prestigious race, questioning why Australia granted visas to military personnel while sparking intense debate. The inclusion of 40 soldiers, some linked to military actions in Gaza, drew online protests from rights organizations and activists in the week leading up to the event.

On Sunday, protesters lined the course, waving Palestinian flags and holding posters that called for war criminals to be excluded and urged Australia to cut ties with Israel. Many participants wore keffiyehs and accessories featuring watermelons as symbols of Palestinian identity and resistance. Al Jazeera verified that at least one Israeli soldier participated in and finished the race.

The delegation included members of the Israeli army's Golani Brigade and signal intelligence Unit 8200. A member of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry described Golani as one of the most criminally accused brigades. Roy Oryon, a delegate, served as deputy company commander in the 13th Battalion, which fought in Gaza and southern Lebanon. Golani troops have also been linked to the ambush of 15 paramedics and rescue workers in Gaza last year.

The decision by the Australian Department of Home Affairs to grant visas faced widespread criticism. Online campaigns called for investigations and potential prosecutions. The Boycott, Divest, Sanctions (BDS) movement stated that Australian authorities have a legal obligation to investigate those suspected of genocide. When asked by Al Jazeera about extra security screenings, a Department of Home Affairs spokesperson declined to comment on individual cases for privacy reasons, noting that all applicants must satisfy the requirements of the Migration Act 1958 and Migration Regulations 1994.

The arrival of the Israeli soldiers occurred shortly after the Israeli military refused to pursue a criminal investigation into the killing of Australian citizen Zomi Frankcom, who died alongside six colleagues in an April 2024 World Central Kitchen convoy strike in Gaza. The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) demanded urgent scrutiny, criticizing organizations for sponsoring the arrival of current and former soldiers to run in the Sydney Marathon.