No.10 warns situation in Middle East ‘has potential to deteriorate further’
Keir Starmer's spokesperson is pressed on efforts to get Brits stranded in Israel back home to the UK
The UK is planning for “a variety of developments” Downing Street has said, amid concerns that Britons wanting to leave Israel are unable to get home.
A No 10 spokesman said on Monday that the a fast-moving situation “has the potential to deteriorate further, quickly and without warning.”
He added: “We are keeping all our advice under constant review and we plan for a variety of developments, as you would expect.”
The Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Israel, as other countries stepped up efforts to bring back citizens stranded there.
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.
Iran fired further missiles at Israel overnight, while Israel’s military claimed to have “full air superiority” over Tehran as strikes continued.
The escalating conflict will be high on the agenda as leaders from the G7 group of wealthy democracies meet in Canada.
Keir Starmer said that the G7 meeting in Alberta would provide an opportunity for allies to make the case for de-escalation in the “fast-moving” situation in the Middle East, with US president Donald Trump among those set to attend.
Starmer again called for “restraint and de-escalation” during a bilateral meeting with Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni in Kananaskis, Canada, on Sunday evening.
Trump is reported to have vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Downing Street would not be drawn on whether the UK was aware of the plan to assassinate the Iranian leader.
A No 10 spokesman said: “We wouldn’t comment on private conversations or intelligence matters.
“We are concerned by further escalation, which is in no-one’s interest, and we’re working closely with our allies to press for a return to diplomacy.”
They also said that the deployment of of RAF Typhoon jets and other British military assets to the Middle East was aimed at providing “contingency support throughout the Middle East, should escalation continue”.
The No.10 aide added that “the UK has not participated in military action in the defence of Israel in recent days”.
The UK has been calling for de-escalation, and Sir Keir confirmed on Saturday that more RAF jets would be sent to the region for “contingency support”.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
