The UK government has announced plans to arrange a chartered flight next week for British citizens who wish to leave Israel, following heightened conflict in the region.
British nationals have been asked to register their interest via an online form but are cautioned not to go to the airport unless they receive specific instructions to do so.
Over the past several days, UK officials have coordinated with Israeli counterparts to facilitate departures from both Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
This latest development comes in the wake of US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, which have further escalated hostilities between Israel and Iran.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has now issued advice against all travel to both Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, expanding on previous warnings which only covered certain areas.
After Israel launched its military operation against Iran, retaliatory attacks led to the closure of Israeli airspace on 13 June. The FCDO noted that future evacuation flights would be considered based on security assessments and public demand, but also warned that the volatile situation could impact flight operations at short notice.
Seats on the upcoming evacuation flight from Tel Aviv will be prioritised based on need. British nationals and their non-British immediate family members are eligible, but all passengers must have the appropriate travel documents and visas.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the FCDO emphasized that the flight will focus on helping “vulnerable British nationals and their dependents.”
A government spokesperson reiterated the UK’s commitment to the safety of its citizens, stating: “The safety of British Nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories continues to be our utmost priority – that’s why the UK government is preparing flights to help those wanting to leave.”
The FCDO had updated its travel advice on 15 June to strongly discourage all travel to the region, following a significant military escalation after Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites.
While the UK did not take part in the US strikes on Iran, Cabinet Minister Jonathan Reynolds told the BBC that the UK was given advance notice of the military operation.
Several other nations have also initiated evacuation efforts for their citizens. India has launched a phased evacuation of its nationals by land and air. The United States has started assisting Americans with departure flights, and China’s ambassador to Israel reported that roughly 400 Chinese citizens, including students, had been evacuated. China has also begun similar efforts from Iran.
Austria’s foreign ministry reported that around 120 people, including nationals from partner countries, have been evacuated from both Iran and Israel.
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have announced they will temporarily reopen their airspace to facilitate citizen returns. Under "Operation Safe Return," Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv will accept incoming flights for a six-hour window on Sunday, from 14:00 to 20:00 local time (10:00 to 18:00 BST).
Source: Cachella Smith, BBC News – [Published 22 June 2025]
Kindly Share This!!!
0 Comments