August 12, 2025 | 06:17 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Immigration is investigating the alleged involvement of two former Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers in managing villas in Bali. Immigration Minister Agus Andrianto said the two individuals hold German passports.
"They are holders of German passports, not Israeli passports. Their status is investors with German passports," Agus told Tempo on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. However, he confirmed that both had served in Israel’s mandatory military service.
When asked about their citizenship status and the reason they served in Israel, Agus noted that several countries permit dual citizenship
"Indonesia only recognizes a single citizenship for adults," said the former Deputy Chief of the Indonesian National Police.
Since the two individuals hold German passports, Agus said there are no legal grounds for deportation.
Reports of two Israeli citizens managing villas in Bali have recently stirred social media. The two, believed to have served in the IDF, are a man and a woman.
One of them is suspected to be Shachar Gornen, known for portraying himself as a traveler and a content creator.
Social media users found that Gornen was once active in managing the Instagram account @gonenvillasbali, which promoted exclusive, modern tropical-style villas. The account is now private with no posts or followers.
Gornen’s personal Instagram account is also inaccessible, but snippets of his content, including images of luxury villas in Bali, remain visible through Google searches.
House of Representatives member Syahrul Aidi Maazat has urged the government to investigate the matter thoroughly, including the backgrounds and activities of the two foreigners.
He stressed that Indonesia has no diplomatic ties with Israel, and any economic activities, investments, or asset ownership by individuals or entities with a military background in Israel are prohibited in the country.
"Immigration oversight and foreign investments must be closely monitored to prevent exploitation by parties that could threaten national security and sovereignty," said the Chairman of the Prosperous Justice Party’s Central Board for Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs in a written statement on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
Editor’s Choice: Government Probes Reports of Ex-IDF Soldiers Running Villas in Bali
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