Three IDF Members Ejected from Bali Gym, Owner Hits Back at One-Star Review

Three foreign nationals said to be members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were ejected by the owner of a gym in Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali.

The incident was recorded in a video and went viral on social media. The dispute began when three Israeli men arrived at the fitness centre.

In the viral video, the gym owner said he took action after one of the guests behaved rudely towards his staff.

“These three gentlemen came to our gym, and one of them was very rude to our staff,” the gym owner said in the video uploaded to the account @filaasteni.

After receiving a report from his staff, the gym owner approached the three men to ask for an explanation and to inquire about their nationality.

From the conversation, he learned that the three foreign visitors were Israelis and served in the IDF. The gym owner said the three men had entered Indonesia using passports from other countries, not Israel.

“You guys are not even allowed to be in this country, man. You come with a different passport,” he said.

Still in the video, the gym owner also raised the actions of Israeli soldiers, which he considered to have violated moral principles.

“You guys serve in IDF, so you kill babies. So I don’t, I don’t discuss. That’s one thing. I have my morals, that’s it, that’s it,” he said.

Following the ejection, the gym received a one-star review on Google from the individuals involved. In the review, the gym owner was accused of being racist and of discriminating on the basis of religion.

However, the gym owner denied the accusation. He stressed that his rejection was directed at Israeli citizens and the IDF, as well as at people who were rude to his staff, not at any particular religion.

Meanwhile, immigration and police authorities have stepped in to investigate the allegation that the three foreign nationals are members of the Israeli military.

Putu Suhendra, head of technology, information and communication at the Denpasar Class I Immigration Office, said his office would look into the video.

“I will check first,” Putu Suhendra said when contacted.

Separately, Ubud Police Chief I Wayan Putra Antara also said police would first examine the viral video.

“Let us check,” he said.