9 Israelis freed in Caribbean taken to different island
Six Israeli nationals still being held hostage on isolated island by disgruntled Chinese laborers demanding their salaries
The affair began in the Caribbean several days ago and was first reported by Ynet on Thursday. Since then, talks have been held to secure the Israeli nationals' release.
The Israelis are employees of the Ashtrom Engineering and Construction firm, which employed the 300 Chinese laborers for a large tourism project. The venture, however, was put on hold due to the collapse of an American bank.
According to the Foreign Ministry, progress has been made in the negotiations with the Chinese laborers, and a representative of the Ashtrom company is involved in the talks.
Six Israelis still remain on the island, and the Foreign Ministry believes they will be freed soon, saying they do not appear to be in any danger.
"The Ashtrom company is taking this matter very seriously and is cooperating with the Foreign Ministry," said Levy.
"We are letting the firm's representatives handle the dialogue with the Chinese, and are monitoring the situation in order to ensure that the Israelis are not in danger or that their evacuation from the island is made impossible. The embassy is constantly in touch with the Israelis' representatives."
Ynet reported Thursday night that most of the Israelis were released from the island following negotiations. One of the 'captive' Israelis said that "right now there are six Israelis trapped in a room with the Chinese – and the other six, myself among them, are sitting here in a stationary boat in the marina.
"There are guys form an unarmed security firm here, and 10 more armed men who are making sure the Chinese don't get to where we are. We're waiting for the other Israelis to be let go so we can leave. The authorities are trying to negotiate with (the Chinese) and get them what they want."
Israeli Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Amos Radian, told Ynet on Thursday night, "In all there were over 10 Israelis on the island, along with four Romanians and three Indians. In total, 14 people were let go and six remained. Most of the Israelis were released."
The ambassador said that the negotiations were conducted by local law enforcement officials and a security firm. "To the best of my knowledge some of the payments have already been transferred to them. The authorities here have assured me that none of the hostages are in danger. I believe that in the coming hours the other six will also be released."
The laborers had refused to release the hostages until they receive the money promised to them by the Chinese manpower company that hired them for the project. A representative from Ashtrom told Ynet that the company has decided to pay the laborers the full amount demanded.
"The company has decided to pay the Chinese laborers everything, even the money we don't owe them but that the Chinese manpower firm charged them in return for sending them here – just to bring this situation to an end," said an Ashtrom representative, adding that the process was complex and was taking some time.
