UK warns against all travel to Israel as it moves jets to Middle East

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Britain has issued new advice to its citizens not to travel to Israel as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer refused to rule out the use of RAF jets to help defend Israel from Iranian air attacks.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on Sunday issued updated guidance advising against any travel “to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories”, warning that “this is a fast-moving situation that poses significant risks”.

The FCDO added: “The situation has the potential to deteriorate further, quickly and without warning.”

Starmer has not ruled out offering air support to defend Israel from Iranian attacks, as additional RAF fighter jets and other military aircraft were deployed to the Middle East.

On Saturday he said the move was a “contingency” measure to support regional security but hinted that the UK might also provide defensive support to Israel in its confrontation with Iran.

“We are moving ***ets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support in the region,” the prime minister told reporters en route to a G7 summit in Canada after being asked about the Iranian threats.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves, in a series of media interviews on Sunday, said the primary purpose of the RAF deployment was to “protect our personnel and bases in the region”.

But she also declined to rule out British involvement in protecting Israel, while drawing a distinction between a defensive role and participating in attacks on Iran.

Reeves confirmed that “so far we haven’t been involved”, but told Sky News: “We have in the past supported Israel when there had been missiles coming in. I’m not going to comment on what might happen in the future.”

Reeves called for “de-escalation”, noting that an escalating war would have “repercussions around the world”. She added: “We have already seen in the last few days oil and gas prices begin to go up.”

Starmer, who held talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday before flying to Alberta for the G7 summit, declined to discuss operational issues but said the situation was “intense” and “fast moving”.

On Saturday Iran’s state media said UK, French and US bases in the region would come under attack if the countries helped Israel in any way. Britain has access to bases in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and a site in Bahrain.

Starmer said he had a “good and constructive” discussion with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, adding that it included talks “about the safety and security of Israel, as you would expect between two allies”.

“The message is: de-escalate,” Starmer said. “We do have long-standing concerns about the nuclear programme Iran has. We do recognise Israel’s right to self-defence. But I’m absolutely clear that this needs to de-escalate. There is a huge risk of escalation for the region.”

He also warned of the potential effect of a heightened conflict on the global economy. “You can see the impact already on the economy and oil prices. And, of course, all of this is linked to what’s going on in Gaza. So you can see why my strong position is: this needs to de-escalate,” he said.

The government said that as part of the contingency measure, additional “fast jets” and “refuelling aircraft” were being sent from the UK to the Middle East.

The aircraft began preparing to deploy on Friday morning, the government said, “when it was clear the situation in the region was deteriorating”.

The UK already has RAF jets stationed in the region as part of its contribution to Operation Shader, which targets remnants of the Isis jihadi group.

Starmer said he had discussed de-escalation with US President Donald Trump on Friday and with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday. He said he expected to hold more calls with world leaders while on the flight to Canada.