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IDF members expelled from Bali gym, sparking online backlash
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

IDF members expelled from Bali gym, sparking online backlash

From CNN Indonesia · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Under investigation
  • Three foreign nationals, identified as members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), were reportedly expelled from a gym in Ubud, Bali.
  • The gym owner stated the expulsion occurred after one of the individuals behaved rudely toward staff, and he learned they were Israeli soldiers.
  • The incident, captured on video, has led to an investigation by immigration and police, with the gym owner claiming to have received one-star reviews in response.

A gym owner in Ubud, Bali, expelled three foreign nationals identified as members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), citing their rude behavior towards staff and their nationality.

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

— Gym ownerExplaining the reason for confronting the individuals.

The incident, which was captured on video and went viral on social media, shows the owner confronting the individuals. He stated that one of them was very rude to his staff. Upon learning they were Israeli and part of the IDF, the owner expressed his moral objections, referencing actions attributed to the IDF.

He also claimed the individuals were using foreign passports, not Israeli ones, to enter Indonesia. Following the expulsion, the gym owner reported receiving one-star reviews on Google, accusing him of racism and religious discrimination. He denied these accusations, clarifying his actions were directed at Israelis, IDF members, and those who were rude, not against any religion.

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

— Gym ownerAddressing the nationality and entry status of the individuals.

Immigration and police have initiated investigations into the alleged military affiliation of the three foreign nationals.

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 ownerExpressing his moral objections to the individuals' alleged military service.
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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