Brits 'disgusted and disgraced' as Germans forced to step in to support evacuations from Israel

21 June 2025, 08:27 | Updated: 22 June 2025, 19:59

By Connor Hand

@Connor_HandLBC

British citizens have been left “disgusted and disgraced” at the government’s efforts to support their evacuation from Israel, saying they had to rely on German embassy staff to help them over the border into Jordan.

Concern has mounted over the safety of thousands of British citizens both living and holidaying in Israel since the escalation of tensions with Iran.

Yesterday, foreign secretary David Lammy announced that the UK government would provide charter flights to help evacuate stranded Britons when the country’s airspace reopens. It is unclear, however, how long it will take for Israel’s airspace to reopen.

However, British citizens who have already attempted to leave Israel have been left “furious” with the lack of assistance from British officials. Meanwhile, former deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden characterised the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FDCO)’s approach as “pretty slow and rubbish”.

Twenty year-old Ethan Schwartz has been living in Israel since October 2024. On Thursday, he and four other Brits attempted to leave the country, crossing its eastern border into Jordan, but encountered significant problems.

“Each country had a representative from the embassy helping them. There was someone from the Polish Embassy, same with Germany, America and France,” Ethan said. “It seemed like the only nation that did not have a representative to help their citizens was the UK.”

“We were there, very much out of our depth, by ourselves - it was very intense [and] very stressful. It got to the point where one of the German representatives actually felt quite bad for us, so he very nicely assisted us with dealing with both sides of the border and helping us cross through.

“As a British person, I am actually quite disgusted and disgraced with the government and the British embassy in Israel.”

Ethan also expressed his scepticism about the government’s plans to evacuate citizens through charter flights:

“I think it’s utter nonsense. David Lammy also said that there would be representatives from the British embassy on either side of the Israeli-Jordanian border… it’s too little, too late.”

Jamie Soning, 58, also crossed the border into Jordan on Thursday. A resident of London, he had been holidaying in Israel since the start of June, and lamented the lack of help from the embassy.

“We had to make our own arrangement. We basically made a dash for the Jordanian border. We left at six o’clock, got caught up in a missile strike [and] didn’t know what to expect at the border,” Jamie told LBC, before questioning why the UK didn’t make use of its assets in the region.

“The non-response is not only disgusting, it’s bizarre. We have a base in Cyprus. The British Embassy could have got every British person out of Israel within 24 hours by sending a destroyer or a double of ships.

“Our government has basically just ignored all of their citizens in their time of need. It’s disgusting and I am furious.”

On Sunday, the FCDO changed its travel advice for Israel, cautioning Brits that “the situation has the potential to deteriorate further, quickly and without warning”.

The government has removed families of Foreign Office officials from Israel due to security concerns, but continues to advise British nationals to remain and to follow local guidance.  They have also advised Brits in Israel to register their presence in the country using their online portal.

Yet former deputy prime minister Sir Oliver Dowden, who has 41 constituents trying to get out of Israel, told LBC the FCDO’s response had been “pretty slow and rubbish”.

“The general message, I'm afraid, is it's been too little, too late,” Sir Oliver said. “Just reading a few comments that I've had in the past couple of hours from. From my constituents, they're saying things like ‘the Foreign Office has been deplorable’.

“They need to be more proactive in getting in touch with individuals who are stuck out there. That's certainly been the case with constituents who have dual nationals. They've heard from the Irish government, but they've not heard from the British government. They need to work through their advice to make sure that it's consistent.

“You can't say on the one hand that you can leave Israel via Jordan and then say that Jordan is not a safe place to go to.”

Approached by LBC, a spokesperson for the FCDO said “The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority. We are working around the clock to respond to the crisis and support British nationals affected.

“The government is providing charter flights from Tel Aviv airport when airspace reopens, and transport for onward travel to airports for those leaving via land borders. No country has been able to facilitate charter flights while the airspace has been closed.”