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

The Australian government's under pressure to explain how 40 Israeli soldiers were granted visas to run in the Sydney Marathon. They touched down within days of Israel's military refusing to pursue a criminal investigation into the killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Francom. Here's what we know. The Israeli Marathon delegation included members of the Golani Unit and Signals Intelligence Unit 8200. A member of the UN Commission of Inquiry that concluded Israel was committing genocide in Gaza describes Golani as one of the most criminally accused brigades in the Israeli military. A member of this marathon delegation, Roy Orion, served as deputy company commander of the brigade's 13th Battalion, which fought in Gaza and has also served as the tip of the spear in Israel's advance into southern Lebanon. Golani troops have also been linked to the ambush of 15 paramedics and rescue workers in Gaza last year. Now we asked Australia's Department of Home Affairs whether these individuals were subject to extra security screening or character checks as the country's Migration Act and Ministerial Direction 110 states that a person can be denied a visa if they belong to or are associated with a group reasonably suspected or involved in genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity. A spokesperson declined to divulge the level of scrutiny with which the applicants were subjected based on privacy grounds. However, the Hind Rajab Foundation, which has been pursuing specific Israeli soldiers accused of war crimes under universal jurisdiction, says it's looking into the individuals. The visa issues caused outrage for another reason, Bassem Youssef. Just this week, the Egyptian-American comedian had to postpone his Australian tour because he couldn't get a visa in time. Australian immigration officials asked him to undergo additional security screening, which included providing police checks from both Egypt and the FBI. Two Israeli lobby groups claim they pressured the government into making that decision. Back to Zomiefrancom. Israel killed the 43-year-old Australian aid worker and six colleagues as they travelled in a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza in April 2024. Soldiers hit the convoy with three drone strikes and the commander who ordered that attack says he's not sorry for what he did. Although the Australian government describes Israel's refusal to pursue a criminal investigation as shameful, it's refused to punish Israeli inaction. Can you explain why you haven't expelled the ambassador when so many people are asking you to do that? Removing an ambassador would remove our ability to be able to engage, press for Australia's interests and on this, you know, relevantly here to put the views of Australia and Zomi's family to the Israeli government. The government's linked to the idea of social cohesion to its Israel-related policies, but more and more people are wondering how these decisions are helping build that.