The UK is arranging flights to get stranded British nationals out of Israel, the Foreign Office has said. The first plane was expected to leave Tel Aviv on Thursday, with more flights planned “in the coming days, subject to security”.
Those eligible to leave will be contacted directly and British nationals should not go to airports unless they are called to. A team of diplomats has been sent to Israel to help people flying to the UK.
The Foreign Office said it is “working to ensure the flight can proceed as soon as possible.”
The UK government said earlier this week it would not arrange evacuation flights because commercial routes were still available.
But British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Air France, Lufthansa and Emirates have all suspended flights in recent days.
International Aid Minister Andrew Mitchell said a review of funding for Palestinian refugees could mean the government will start moving “essential humanitarian supplies forward near the region”. He told the BBC the UK would “do whatever is necessary to play our part in meeting humanitarian need”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has chaired an Israel policing roundtable in Downing Street, ahead of protests expected this weekend. Mr Sunak has also announced £3m to help protect schools, synagogues and other Jewish community buildings.
King Charles has held talks at Buckingham Palace with Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis. It comes after palace sources said yesterday that the King condemns the “barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel”.
The government-arranged flights will be chartered by the Foreign Office but are commercial services. Each passenger will be charged £300.
A statement said British nationals, including dual nationals, and dependants if travelling with a British national normally resident in the UK, would be invited to take up seats.
All seats for the first flight have been allocated, a British official at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport told the BBC. Those who will be travelling on the flight have been notified by text message.