Two Foreign Nationals Born in Israel but Holding European Passports Expelled from Bali Gym
The Denpasar Class I TPI Immigration Office is investigating the expulsion of three foreign nationals from a gym, A Fitness, in Sukawati, Gianyar, Bali (previously reported as Ubud). Of the three foreigners named in the viral case, Immigration has identified two individuals.
Both are known to have been born in Israel. However, they used European passports when entering Indonesia, from Bulgaria and Romania respectively.
Head of the Denpasar Class I TPI Immigration Office, R Haryo Sakti, revealed that the two foreigners have the initials IB (23) and YBH (22). IB is an Israeli-born foreign national holding a Bulgarian passport, while YBH is also Israeli-born and holds a Romanian passport.
“IB entered Indonesian territory through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on 3 August 2026 using flight EY 478 and a Visa on Arrival (VKSK),” according to an official statement from Denpasar Immigration on Thursday (20/8/2026).
Meanwhile, YBH entered Indonesia on the same date through Ngurah Rai Airport on flight EY 478 using a visit visa. Both foreigners have now been placed on the immigration wanted list (SOI).
The case began with an expulsion at the gym. It previously went viral on social media after a video circulated showing a dispute between the owner of A Fitness and three foreign nationals on Sunday (16/8). In the video, the gym owner asked the three foreigners to leave the premises.
The gym owner claimed that one of them had been rude to staff. According to the circulating narrative, the gym owner stated that the three men were Israeli citizens and had links to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The gym owner also stated that the three had arrived using passports from other countries. The matter then gained widespread attention on social media. The gym even claimed to have received one-star reviews on Google Review after expelling the three foreign men whom it identified as Israelis.
The Intelligence and Immigration Enforcement Section of the Denpasar Class I TPI Immigration Office subsequently traced the viral information on social media. Officers also checked the immigration data of the foreigners mentioned in the information and visited A Fitness in Sukawati.
The finding that both were born in Israel but used Bulgarian and Romanian passports is one of the facts currently being investigated by Immigration. Information regarding the alleged links of the three to the Israeli military is also still being examined.
So far, Immigration has not determined whether IB or YBH committed any immigration violations. The determination of whether a violation occurred, as well as any immigration action, will be made based on the results of the examination and the applicable laws and regulations.