Britain’s Foreign Office has begun an urgent evacuation of its staff from Tel Aviv to other parts of Israel considered safer. The decision covers embassy personnel, consular staff and diplomats’ families.
The move is a direct response to sharply rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme. After the collapse of the third round of negotiations in Geneva (February 26) and a lack of progress in technical talks scheduled for next week in Vienna, London assessed the risk of an attack on Israel as “very high”. In recent hours, unofficial reports have also emerged of similar steps being taken by several other European countries.
Britain’s decision comes just a dozen or so hours after the US State Department advised American diplomatic staff in Israel to prepare for immediate departure. Experts note that the weekend could be particularly dangerous: additional security measures have already been introduced in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and the Israeli armed forces remain on the highest state of readiness.
The evacuation is partial and temporary: some key personnel will remain in the country, but in different locations. The Foreign Office stressed that the step is purely precautionary and does not signal a change in policy towards Israel.
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