BRITS trapped in Israel are to be evacuated by emergency chartered flights out of Tel Aviv as the bombardment continues.
The government is scrambling to arrange the planes after it was accused of abandoning Britons stuck in the Middle East.
AlamyThe Foreign Office, led by David Lammy, is finally organising to fetch Brits stuck in Israel[/caption]
GettyTel Aviv, where thousands of Brits remain, has been pounded by Iranian missiles[/caption]
AFPBrits are to be flown out of Tel Aviv[/caption]
The UK and Israeli governments are now working together to get Brits out, with No 10 insisting it was monitoring the “fast-moving” situation.
David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, said today: “As part of our efforts to support British nationals in the Middle East, the government is working with the Israeli authorities to provide charter flights from Tel Aviv airport when airspace reopens, based on levels of demand from British nationals.”
Brits in Israel were urged to register their presence with the authorities and told they would be contacted with further guidance.
Those who have already crossed the border into neighbouring countries will also receive help to reach airports, Lammy said.
The Foreign Office was previously accused of refusing to draw up evacuation plans, even as Iranian missiles rained down on cities across Israel.
They apparently told those trying to flee they should take a risky bus journey to Egypt or Jordan.
There was anger that the families of diplomats working at the Embassy in Tel Aviv had been fetched, but most people offered nothing.
Israeli airspace has been shut since last week and the only flights entering are IDF repatriation jets.
There are up to 60,000 British citizens who live in Israel, and more are likely to have been visiting as the air battle with Iran began.
Max Radford, who is stuck in Tel Aviv, said before today’s announcement he had “no clear sight” on when he might get back to the UK.
He hit out at the advice to head to Jordan or Egypt with little shelter on route.
He told TalkTV it was against local guidance to hunker down, adding: “What are you supposed to do? Hide in a sand dune if there’s a rocket attack.”
“There is no way that I’m making my way to Jordan or Egypt, which are not particularly friendly countries. What should be happening is preparation in Cyprus. It’s 30 minutes to an hour away on a flight. It’s 200km by vessel.
“The Foreign Office guidance is absolutely ludicrous.”
APIsraeli soldiers search through the rubble of wrecked residential buildings in Bat Yam[/caption]
ReutersA crater from an Iranian missile[/caption]
Judah, who is also stuck in Tel Aviv, told TalkTV that he had called the Foreign Office but was given “zero advice or help or a return phone call”.
David Lammy is in Geneva today to meet with foreign minsters from Europe and Iran.
Lammy, along with his German and French counterparts, will first meet the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas before heading into a room with the Iranian Foreign Minister.
Starmer has warned there is a “real risk of escalation” in the conflict.
He urged Donald Trump to keep a cool head and step back from joining Israel in military action against Iran.
The White House announced that Trump would come to a decision within the next two weeks.
ReutersBurnt out cars in Beer Sheva, southern Israel[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
