Britons stuck in Israel have accused the Foreign Office of leaving them to fend for themselves, as countries including Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Slovakia swiftly organise evacuations for their citizens.
Tens of thousands of UK nationals are believed to be stranded after Israel closed its airspace amid the escalating conflict with Iran, reports MailOnline.
Despite issuing a travel ban advising against all journeys to Israel, the Foreign Office has no plans to repatriate those already trapped in the country.
Instead, Britons have been urged to register their presence and stay close to bomb shelters, while other nations ramp up bus convoys and charter flights to evacuate their people.
One terrified British teenager from London told the Mail he was told he was “basically on his own” when he pleaded for help.
Miles Mackay, 19, who was visiting friends in Tel Aviv when the airstrikes began, is desperate to get home and is even considering a risky solo trip to the Jordanian border.
He said: “There has been nothing. They basically told me I’m on my own but in a nicer way, I’m pretty young and I don’t have any ties to Israel other than my friends here so it’s scary.
“Surely there’s a way to get us to Cyprus but it doesn’t look like they are even thinking about repatriating,” the student added.
“Even if the Foreign Office can’t arrange to get us out, they can at least give us some advice. It feels like the war is getting closer and closer every day, yesterday we had to go into a shelter three times.”
Other Britons stranded in Israel say they have been forced to arrange their own escape plans, including one father preparing to make a tough journey across the desert to Egypt with his children.
Jonathan Gold, 51, was visiting family with his daughter Maisie, 20, and son Daniel, 22, and was due to fly back to London yesterday afternoon.
He said: “We’re grateful that we’re safe and well, and I realise people have got much worse going on but it is stressful, especially for the kids and my wife Alisa who is at home.
“There are sirens going off and my priority is to get my children home safely.”
The financial adviser revealed he was trying to organise transport for the 400-mile trip to Sharm El Sheikh.
Zach Margolin, 31, from north London, who was in Israel for his birthday, said the UK had been of “no help” as he tries to return.
“They are very unhelpful, the only advice I got when I phoned the British embassy was to check the website for travel advice. The only travel advice on the website is don’t go to Israel.”
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said it was sending “rapid deployment teams to Egypt and Jordan” to assist any Brits who travel to the borders.
In a statement, the Foreign Office said: “The Foreign Office is working around the clock to respond to the crisis and support British nationals affected. We have launched a register of your presence so that we can share important information on the situation.”