Israeli Couple Evacuated from Indonesia After Social Media Backlash
The pair, who entered the country on German passports and ran villas in Bali, were investigated after the man posted a photo in IDF uniform.
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An Israeli man and woman have been evacuated from Indonesia following a public outcry over a photo of the man wearing Israel Defense Forces uniform. The two, who had entered the country using German passports, were managing villas on the island of Bali. After the photo appeared on social media, local protests erupted and demonstrations were staged against them.
Authorities summoned the couple for questioning on suspicion of violating their work visas, a claim they denied. Diplomatic intervention by Israel’s Foreign Ministry ultimately led to their safe departure from the country.
A source familiar with the case cautioned Israelis to avoid posting military-related images online, especially in Muslim-majority countries such as Indonesia, which does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel. Holders of Israeli passports cannot legally enter without special permission, though some Israelis have traveled there on second passports.
Unverified online reports claim the man had previously promoted luxury villas in Bali on Instagram, but has since made his accounts private. According to the same reports, he entered Indonesia as a registered German citizen, holding an investor visa valid until March 2026, funded by a local company.
He was reportedly living in Pererenan, in the Badung regency.