August 20, 2025
DENPASAR – Bali immigration authorities have downplayed public concerns following online claims that a couple who served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are residing in Bali and managing luxury villas on the popular holiday island.
The allegations, along with pictures of the couple wearing IDF uniforms and footage of them in Bali, have circulated on social media over the past few months, triggering an online backlash.
The IDF’s operations in Gaza are widely considered acts of genocide and a string of heightened repressive actions have been taking place in the occupied West Bank, drawing widespread condemnation in Indonesia, especially given the country’s firm support for the Palestinian cause.
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Following the online uproar, Immigration and Corrections Minister Agus Andrianto said earlier this month that authorities planned to examine the viral reports.
On Friday, head of the Denpasar Immigration Office R. Haryo Sakti said immigration officials had investigated the couple and concluded that the “information circulating on social media was inaccurate”.
“During their interview with immigration officers, the couple firmly denied being former members of the IDF. They stated that they are German nationals who had previously lived in Israel and completed their primary and secondary education there,” Haryo said.
“They are not former IDF members. They simply underwent mandatory military service while living and studying in Israel. It is strongly suspected that the photos circulating online were taken during that period,” he added.
Haryo did not clarify whether the couple held dual citizenship or Israeli passports. However, considering that mandatory military service in Israel applies only to Israeli citizens, it is likely that they held Israeli citizenship at least during the period of their service.
Haryo added that, from the immigration standpoint, both individuals are officially registered as German nationals. He also explained that the couple entered Indonesia legally, with all required documentation, and have not committed any violations during their stay.
Indonesia does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Israel, and Israeli citizens are generally not permitted to enter Indonesia using Israeli passports. As a result, Israelis who visit Indonesia often do so using passports from other countries, if they hold dual or multiple citizenships.
“We need to approach this IDF-related information with great caution. There is a risk of protests from Germany, and they may question why their citizens are being treated unfairly in Indonesia, particularly in Bali,” Haryo said.
“It’s important that misinformation circulating on social media does not lead to misunderstandings by law enforcement, as this could have serious consequences, especially for Indonesia’s diplomatic relations with Germany. We want to avoid any situations that could lead to Indonesia being blamed by Germany,” he added.
When asked about the legality of the couple’s business activities in Bali, Haryo said that matter fell outside the jurisdiction of the Immigration Office, adding that immigration officials cannot “go beyond their authority” in investigating the couple.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster has in the past refused to allow Israeli national teams to participate in international events held in Bali.
Read also: Bali Governor again refuses to host Israel at World Beach Games
In April 2023, Koster refused to host the Israeli contingent at the World Beach Games from Aug. 5-12, 2023, in the island province.
The World Beach Games was eventually canceled because the Indonesian Olympics Committee (KOI) had withdrawn from its commitment to host the World Beach Games as the funding had not been released by the Indonesian government.
Earlier in March 2023, Koster also requested that the central government ban the Israeli soccer team from playing in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Bali, saying it was “out of respect” for Indonesia’s diplomatic stance on the Palestine issue.
Koster has remained quiet regarding the alleged Israelis operating villas in his province.