Priti Patel Demands Immediate UK Action to Evacuate Britons Trapped in Israel
Amid the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran, Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel has called on the UK government to urgently organize repatriation flights for British nationals stranded in Israel.
In a Radio 4 interview, Patel emphasized the “thousands upon thousands” of Britons currently in Israel facing difficulties leaving the country due to airspace closures. She criticized the current government response as “not sufficient,” adding that simply offering helpline numbers falls far short of the action needed.
Patel pointed out that British embassy personnel have already been evacuated, suggesting that similar efforts should be extended to civilians. “If evacuation was possible for embassy staff, then the UK must also ensure flights or other transport options for citizens trying to get home,” she said.
Comparisons to International Evacuation Efforts
The US has reportedly begun arranging military, charter, and cruise ship evacuations, according to American officials. Patel argued that the UK should offer air, sea, and land evacuation alternatives just as other nations are doing.
Her remarks come as Foreign Secretary David Lammy prepares to meet his American counterpart in Washington. Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump has reportedly approved plans for potential military strikes against Iran, though no final decision has been made.
UK Foreign Office Response
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has advised against all travel to Israel and urged British nationals already in the region to register their presence through an online portal. Officials say land crossings into Jordan and Egypt remain open, with consular support available.
The UK also deployed a “rapid deployment team” to Jordan to bolster consular operations in neighboring countries. The British embassy in Tel Aviv and the consulate in Jerusalem remain “fully staffed,” according to the FCDO.
Despite these assurances, Patel insists that more proactive measures are needed to ensure safe return options for UK citizens caught in the midst of the escalating Middle East crisis.
A Region on the Brink
The recent spike in hostilities follows a series of Israeli airstrikes allegedly aimed at disrupting Iran’s nuclear ambitions—claims Tehran denies, maintaining its nuclear program is peaceful.
With the region teetering on the edge of further escalation and international involvement looming, Patel’s calls are likely to put pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government to act swiftly in protecting British lives abroad.
