As reported by CNN Indonesia and RadarBali, a video has gone viral on social media showing a heated exchange in a gym in Sukawati, south of Ubud, Bali, in which a gym manager-owner ejected three foreign nationals—who he suspected were from Israel.
The incident took place at Ayenda Fitness in Kemenuh Village, Sukawati District, Gianyar, on Sunday, 16 August 2026, at around 7:00 pm.
The now high-profile altercation has sparked an ongoing investigation by police and immigration authorities in Bali.
In a clarification posted on Ayenda Fitness’s Instagram Account, the manager-owner, Samir, stated that he refused service to three visitors who had been verbally abusive to the gym’s staff after they were also suspected of being Israeli citizens and veterans of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
In the online video, the manager is seen inquiring about the nationality of the three male guests, which progressed into an angry argument with one of the foreign nationals.
”Do you serve in the IDF? I’m not (even) going to discuss it. You aren’t even allowed in this Country. And be grateful, because I didn’t involve the police,” the fitness center owner-manager said in the video uploaded on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.
During the verbal altercation, the gym manager-owner mentioned the tourist visitors’ involvement with the IDF, expressing his moral indignation at alleged crimes of genocide committed in Gaza. Adding: “You guys serve in the IDF, so you kill babies. So I don’t, I don’t discuss. That’s one thing. I have my morals, that’s it,” said Samir.
The gym manager then asked the three men to leave the premises.
In closing, he said his gym chooses not to serve Israeli citizens, IDF personnel, or people who are rude to the gym staff.
The gym vehemently denied any suggestion that the expulsion was motivated by religious issues.
Following the dispute, Ayenda Fitness Google Maps Page was flooded with negative reviews, some leveling accusations of racism and claiming the visitors were kicked out because of their religious beliefs.
Amidst this public outcry, local police have begun their own investigations. Gianyar Police Public Relations Officer, Second Police Inspector (Ipda) I Gusti Ngurah Suardita, stated that the police are looking into the matter. “We are still verifying the details regarding this. As of now, no formal complaints have been filed with either the Sector Police or the Resort Police,” he stated.
The owner of the fitness center traces the incident to one of the trio of foreign visitors who acted rudely toward the gym’s staff.
When the owner approached the men for an explanation, he claimed he already knew that the three were Israeli and IDF veterans, and had entered Indonesia using a second passport. He told the three that, as Israelis, they were not permitted to visit Indonesia.
Immigration officials have identified two of the three men. Identified only by the initials IB (23) and YBH (23), immigration says the two were born in Israel. Immigration officials and other related agencies are now looking into the men’s backgrounds and possible past or current affiliations with the IDF.
IB entered Indonesia on 03 August 2026 with a Bulgarian passport and a tourist visa on arrival. Meanwhile, YBH arrived in Bali on the same date using a Romanian passport and a tourist visa. Both men flew on Etihad Airways Flight EY 478 flying from Abu Dhabi.
Immigration authorities are now seeking IB and YBH for questioning to determine what, if any, immigration rules may have been violated. R. Haryo Sakti, the Head of the Denpasar Class I Immigration Office, confirmed the case remains under review. On Friday 21 August 2028, in a written statement, Haryo Sakti said: “Regarding the alleged immigration violation, the determination of the violation and any immigration measures taken against the parties involved will be based on the results of the examination and applicable laws and regulations.”
Following the incident, the gym was the subject of online critical Google Reviews accusing the fitness center of racism and religious discrimination. In response, the gym owner rejected these accusations, underlining that his refusal has nothing to do with religious beliefs and his refusal of service specifically applies to Israeli citizens, veterans of the IDF, and people who mistreat his staff.
The intelligence and enforcement division of the Denpasar Immigration Office has reviewed databases on the men’s presence and activities in Bali and interviewed the management and staff of the gym where the altercation occurred on 19 August 2026,
Immigration officials have also scrutinized the gym manager to obtain a fuller understanding of the incident that has become the subject of widespread coverage across several social media channels.
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