Sign in Subscribe
Arab-Israeli conflicts

British Family Stranded in Israel Calls for Urgent Government Intervention

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A British family of three is stuck in the city of Haifa, Israel, due to the escalating conflict with Iran, and they fear an arduous, expensive, and potentially dangerous journey back home if the UK government doesn't act. Barrister Lisa Baker, her 15-year-old daughter Bella, and 78-year-old mother Phyllis Phillips have been unable to find a safe passage back to the UK after their flight home was cancelled. They are currently staying in a hotel with access to a safe room, but they are eager to return home.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Israeli government closed its airspace until 23 June due to the escalating conflict with Iran, leaving thousands of British nationals stranded in the country.
  • Lisa Baker and her family are exploring multiple routes to get home, including a 3,700-mile journey with layovers in Jeddah, Riyadh, Istanbul, and London Stansted, which could cost up to £6,000.
  • The UK government has not planned to evacuate Britons from Israel, but has stepped up support in Jordan and Egypt for those who make their way overland.
  • Foreign Secretary David Lammy assured British nationals in Israel that their welfare is the government's "first priority" and that they should closely monitor the Foreign Office's travel advice for updates.
  • Lisa Baker has questioned why the UK government cannot replicate Israel's action to fly nationals back home, despite the airspace closure, and has suggested a boat service for British nationals in Haifa to reach Cyprus as a safe passage.
  • Poland has announced an evacuation of around 200 of its citizens in a bus convoy to Jordan, while the Czech Republic and Slovakian governments have organised repatriation flights from the region.

Statistics:

  • 23 June: The Israeli government closed its airspace until this date due to the escalating conflict with Iran.
  • 39,000: The approximate number of British nationals affected by the conflict according to the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
  • £6,000: The estimated cost of the group ticket for Lisa Baker and her family's journey back home.
  • 3,700 miles: The distance of the journey from Haifa to Amman in Jordan, with layovers in Jeddah, Riyadh, Istanbul, and London Stansted.
  • 15: The age of Lisa Baker's daughter Bella, who is missing her GCSE mock exams at her school in Leeds due to the family's situation.

Sources:

  • The Independent
  • The Foreign Office
  • Reuters
  • AFP via Getty Images
  • PA Wire
  • Commons Transcript

Read more