A dramatic and welcome development in the case of the seven kidnapped hikers, including four Israelis, in Colombia: The kidnappers announced that they will release the prisoners, one at a time, beginning next week. In exchange, the ELN guerilla group demands that the establishment of an investigative committee regarding the poverty in local villages.
The four Israelis - Ido Guy, from Haifa; Erez Altawil, Herzliya; and Benny Daniel and Orpaz Ochayon, friends from Maaleh Adumim, all in their 20's - were abducted on September 15 as they were about to set off for the "Lost City" in the northern Colombian forests. Four other hikers from Britain, Germany, and Spain were also kidnapped at the same time, though one of them managed to escape shortly afterwards.
Israel's Ambassador to Colombia, Ya'ir Rakanati, called the announcement "dramatic and surprising," and expressed hope that the kidnappers would in fact keep their promise and not add further conditions. Three weeks ago, Colombia freed an ELN leader from prison as a "confidence building" gesture.
The four Israelis - Ido Guy, from Haifa; Erez Altawil, Herzliya; and Benny Daniel and Orpaz Ochayon, friends from Maaleh Adumim, all in their 20's - were abducted on September 15 as they were about to set off for the "Lost City" in the northern Colombian forests. Four other hikers from Britain, Germany, and Spain were also kidnapped at the same time, though one of them managed to escape shortly afterwards.
Israel's Ambassador to Colombia, Ya'ir Rakanati, called the announcement "dramatic and surprising," and expressed hope that the kidnappers would in fact keep their promise and not add further conditions. Three weeks ago, Colombia freed an ELN leader from prison as a "confidence building" gesture.