Britons stuck in Israel have accused the Foreign Office of leaving them to fend for themselves, as countries including Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Slovakia swiftly organise evacuations for their citizens
British citizens stranded in Israel have slammed the Foreign Office for abandoning them, while other nations like Germany, Poland, Lithuania, and Slovakia are swiftly evacuating their nationals.
According to MailOnline, tens of thousands of UK nationals are stuck after Israel shut down its airspace due to the intensifying conflict with Iran.
Despite a travel warning against all trips to Israel, the Foreign Office has not made any moves to bring back those caught in the turmoil.
Britons have been advised to make their presence known and remain near bomb shelters as other countries organise bus convoys and charter flights to rescue their citizens.
A frightened British teen from London expressed to the Mail that he felt “basically on his own” after seeking assistance, reports the Express.
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Miles Mackay, 19, who was in Tel Aviv visiting friends when the airstrikes started, is eager to return home and is contemplating a perilous journey alone to the Jordanian border.
He stated: “There has been nothing. They basically told me I’m on my own but in a nicer way, I’m pretty young and I don’t have any ties to Israel other than my friends here so it’s scary.
“Surely there’s a way to get us to Cyprus but it doesn’t look like they are even thinking about repatriating,” lamented the student.
Brits caught in the thick of rising tensions in Israel are appealing for more support, with one individual expressing a desperate need for guidance amidst increasing turmoil.
The stark comment comes as many Britons find themselves stranded and making their own evacuation plans. A father, intent on ensuring his children’s safety, has started planning a harrowing journey through the desert to Egypt.
Jonathan Gold, 51, who was visiting relatives with his offspring Maisie, 20, and Daniel, 22, missed his scheduled flight back to London.
He shared: “We’re grateful that we’re safe and well, and I realise people have got much worse going on but it is stressful, especially for the kids and my wife Alisa who is at home.”
Concerned for his family amid frequent alerts, he emphasised: “There are sirens going off and my priority is to get my children home safely.”
Amidst the chaos, the financial adviser is trying to secure transport for the demanding 400-mile travel to Sharm El Sheikh.
North Londoner Zach Margolin, who was celebrating his birthday in Israel, criticised the UK’s response, or lack thereof, to his plight.
Exasperated, he recounted how the British embassy provided no substantial help: “They are very unhelpful, the only advice I got when I phoned the British embassy was to check the website for travel advice. The only travel advice on the website is don’t go to Israel.”
In an attempt to mitigate these concerns, a spokesman from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office announced the deployment of “rapid deployment teams to Egypt and Jordan” to aid UK citizens reaching the borders.
The Foreign Office released a statement, saying: “The Foreign Office is working around the clock to respond to the crisis and support British nationals affected. We have launched a register of your presence so that we can share important information on the situation.”