Bali Travel Agency Scandal: The Bali Dream Handles Israeli Tourists, Operator Deported
The revelation of a travel agency in Bali managing tours for Israeli tourists became the most popular news in Bali this week. The agency, named The Bali Dream, was operated by BR, a man born in Israel holding a Lithuanian passport. He was deported by the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office on Thursday, 13 August 2026.
The case originated from a viral video uploaded by the Instagram account @aelexav. The video revealed indications of involvement by two former Israeli military members in the management of the travel agency in Bali.
Following up on the information, the Intelligence and Immigration Enforcement Team of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office conducted verification and examination of immigration data. Through the Face Recognition Identification System, the two individuals in the post were identified by the initials SG (30) and AC (28), holders of German passports born in Israel.
Based on border crossing data, SG and AC were found to have left Indonesian territory on 11 August 2025.
“We followed up on the circulating information by conducting verification and further investigation based on the immigration data we hold. Any information related to the activities of foreign nationals that could potentially cause disruption to security and public order will be followed up in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations,” said Head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, Muhamad Novyandri, on Friday, 14 August 2026.
Although SG and AC had left Indonesia, the investigation continued into The Bali Dream. From the examination results, Immigration found a connection between the website thebalidream.com and the business WhatsApp number of the travel agency with BR.
BR was found to have entered Indonesia on 7 May 2026 using a Business Visit Visa. However, Immigration’s further investigation found that BR had misused his residence permit to work as a paid content creator and conduct digital marketing.
For this violation, BR was subjected to administrative immigration action in the form of deportation. He was also subject to a five-year entry ban starting from 13 August 2026, which may be extended.
BR was deported using flight TG32 on the Denpasar-Bangkok route. He then continued his journey to Frankfurt and Vilnius.
Until the investigation was completed, Immigration had not found a physical office or business premises of The Bali Dream in Indonesian territory.
Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said his agency supports the creation of safe and conducive Indonesian tourism.
“We want to ensure Bali remains a safe, comfortable, and conducive tourist destination. Foreign nationals who come to Indonesia are certainly welcomed, but every foreign national is also obliged to respect the laws and regulations in force. Immigration policy, including immigration supervision and enforcement, is oriented towards the national interest and serves as our instrument to realise Immigration for the People,” Hendarsam concluded.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster admitted he had only just learned of an Israeli national opening a business in Bali. Koster stated he would coordinate with the central government and relevant agencies to address the matter.
“So with this issue, I will coordinate further on how to prevent it from happening again in the future. So that the mechanism of inter-state relations is in accordance with the constitution,” Koster said at Jayasabha, Denpasar, on Friday, 14 August 2026.
Koster emphasised that the authority to check the presence of Israeli nationals in Bali lies with the central government. According to him, the central government has a system to conduct such checks.
“Regional governments do not have a system to do that, nor do they have the authority to do so,” Koster explained.
Koster said he learned of the matter from media reports. He then planned to communicate with the central government.
“I do not know the exact details yet. But through the media I can see it, so I will communicate with the central government,” Koster said.
Nevertheless, Koster assured that the matter would not affect or influence the confidence of other investors in Bali. He assessed that the issue relates to inter-state relations.
“Not necessarily, as long as it does not cause unrest in the community. This relates to inter-state relations. It must be handled wisely so as not to disrupt state relations and have an impact on other countries,” he said.
Koster said the central government is currently finalising steps regarding the matter.
“So I think the central government is currently finalising that,” Koster concluded.