The parents of four Israeli hostages in Colombia reacted with joy and relief last night when they saw a video of their sons filmed three weeks ago. The four, together with three other kidnapped tourists - from Britain, Spain and Germany - are seen in relatively good condition, playing cards and drinking coffee. It was noted that the three non-Israelis talked to the cameras, while the Israelis did not. On the other hand, the four Israelis appear to be very good friends, while "the Briton appears alone and in difficult emotional condition," according to body language expert Gavriel Raam. In one scene, the Israelis are seen getting up and taking a drink in accordance with orders by their Colombian rebel captors.
The four Israelis - Benny Daniel, Erez Altawil, Orpaz Ochayon, and Ido Yosef Guy - were hiking in the Colombian forest jungles two months ago when they were taken, together with four other hikers. One of the latter managed to escape shortly afterwards. The Israelis, too, are reported to have attempted a recent escape, and the guards have tightened their protection. The kidnappers, who demand an investigation into what they call the Colombian oppression of indigenous people, have threatened to kill their hostages if a rescue is attempted. The President of Colombia said that this proves that they are murderers.
Negotiations with the kidnappers for the release of the seven, which appeared to be promising two weeks ago, have broken down. The rebels refused government demands for all the hostages to be freed at the same time.
Benny Altawil, father of one of the hostages, told Maariv, "This was truly the happiest moment of my life; a weight has been lifted from my heart. After 61 days of hanging between the sky and earth without knowing their condition, this was a great moment. I feel as if he was born anew. It's good to know that they are healthy and whole and look good. Time is no longer a factor; at least I know he's OK." One of the fathers said, as he was viewing the video, "Look at that beard he has!"
The four Israelis - Benny Daniel, Erez Altawil, Orpaz Ochayon, and Ido Yosef Guy - were hiking in the Colombian forest jungles two months ago when they were taken, together with four other hikers. One of the latter managed to escape shortly afterwards. The Israelis, too, are reported to have attempted a recent escape, and the guards have tightened their protection. The kidnappers, who demand an investigation into what they call the Colombian oppression of indigenous people, have threatened to kill their hostages if a rescue is attempted. The President of Colombia said that this proves that they are murderers.
Negotiations with the kidnappers for the release of the seven, which appeared to be promising two weeks ago, have broken down. The rebels refused government demands for all the hostages to be freed at the same time.
Benny Altawil, father of one of the hostages, told Maariv, "This was truly the happiest moment of my life; a weight has been lifted from my heart. After 61 days of hanging between the sky and earth without knowing their condition, this was a great moment. I feel as if he was born anew. It's good to know that they are healthy and whole and look good. Time is no longer a factor; at least I know he's OK." One of the fathers said, as he was viewing the video, "Look at that beard he has!"