Stranded Britons Cry Out for Assistance as Fellow Countrymen are Returned from Israel
Stuck in the Middle of a War Zone: Stranded Brits in Israel Amid Complicated Situation
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has left many visitors from around the world stranded in the Middle East, including several British families. These folks found themselves in the region for various reasons, such as vacations, family visits, or sick relative examinations, only to find their travel plans thwarted due to the escalating hostilities.
The BBC and The Independent have reported on these families, while the Daily Mail has shared stories of individual Brits stuck in Israel, like a teenager visiting friends and a 31-year-old man, who claim that authorities have left them high and dry. A father and his two adult children are also stranded amid this chaos.
It's not just the Brits stumbling upon this unwelcome predicament. Israel's Ministry of Tourism reported around 40,000 visitors are in the same dire situation — some of whom had visited for the annual Tel Aviv Pride celebrations. Countries like the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, and Slovakia have already launched repatriation missions through Cyprus, Egypt, and Jordan, but the British tourists find the government's response rather underwhelming, describing it as "very unhelpful."
While the British Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office advises against all travel to Israel as well as the Occupied Palestinian Territories, it asks citizens already on the ground to register their presence to receive updates. Details and timings for international land border crossings to Jordan and Egypt are provided, but with a warning that they could close without notice and their timings are subject to change.
Commercial flights continue to operate from various airports in the region, implying that British citizens should endeavor to reach an open airport (despite frequent air raid warnings). The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman told the BBC that rapid deployment teams are being sent to Egypt and Jordan to assist any stranded Brits who made it to the borders.
Some commenters on The Independent's and the Daily Mail's reporting have expressed a lack of sympathy for those stranded, pointing fingers at the travelers themselves. One commenter argued:" If they going to Israel during a year of war, they must accept the consequences." Others have accused the travelers of being complicit in human rights' abuses by going on vacations to Israel and thus supporting their "war-crimes, violations of international laws, and human rights."
As the situation stands, the UK government is organizing charter flights for British citizens stuck in Israel, with plans to operate from Tel Aviv airport once Israeli airspace reopens. The scheduling of these flights will depend on the demand from British nationals. Until then, support services such as temporary housing, meals, emergency assistance, and psychological support are being provided by organizations like Chabad of Israel and the Israeli Home Front Command.
Enrichment Insights:- 40,000 visitors are stranded in Israel, not just a handful of British tourists[1][2]- The UK government is coordinating with Israeli authorities to arrange charter flights for British citizens[1][4]- Various organizations like Chabad of Israel and the Israeli Home Front Command are providing support including temporary housing, meals, and psychological assistance[3]
- Following the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, thousands of tourists, including British families, have found their holiday plans disrupted.
- The British Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office is working with Israeli authorities to organize charter flights for stranded British citizens, but the frequency and timing of these flights are yet to be determined.
- In addition to the assistance offered by the UK government, organizations like Chabad of Israel and the Israeli Home Front Command are providing temporary housing, meals, and psychological support to stranded tourists.
- While some commenters express a lack of sympathy for the stranded tourists, accusing them of complicity in war crimes and human rights violations, others argue that the travelers should bear the consequences of traveling to a warzone.
