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Bali gym owner expels Israelis amid viral confrontation
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Bali gym owner expels Israelis amid viral confrontation

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Under investigation
  • A viral video shows a gym owner in Ubud, Bali, expelling three foreign nationals allegedly from Israel's IDF.
  • The owner claims the individuals were rude to staff and made offensive remarks, prompting him to ask them to leave.
  • Police are investigating the incident, but no formal complaint has been filed yet.

A video circulating on social media has sparked controversy in Ubud, Bali, showing a gym owner confronting and expelling three foreign nationals he identified as members of Israel's Defense Forces (IDF).

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.

— Gym ownerThe gym owner confronts the foreign nationals, referencing their alleged service in the IDF and stating his moral objections.

The gym owner, Putu Suhendra, stated in the video that his actions were prompted by the individuals' disrespectful behavior towards his staff. He also claimed they made offensive statements, including accusations of killing babies, which led him to question their nationality and ask them to leave the premises.

In a follow-up clarification video, Suhendra explained that one of the three men was particularly rude. Upon learning they were Israeli citizens, he told them they were not allowed in the country and asked them to depart.

These three gentlemen came to our gym, and one of them was very rude to our staff.

— Gym ownerThe owner explains the initial reason for his confrontation with the foreign nationals.

The incident gained traction online, with some reports suggesting the expelled individuals retaliated with one-star reviews for the gym. However, the Gianyar Police, through spokesperson Ipda I Gusti Ngurah Suardita, confirmed that no formal complaint has been lodged at either the local Ubud police station or the Gianyar Polres regarding the incident. Immigration officials have also stated they are looking into the matter.

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

— Gym ownerThe gym owner tells the foreign nationals they should not be in Indonesia.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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