British tourists stuck in Jerusalem hotel

A group of friends from Kent were due to leave Jerusalem on Tuesday

A group of British tourists are stuck in Israel without knowing when they will able to fly back to the UK.

The party of eight from Kent were due to travel home on Tuesday after a two-week holiday in Jerusalem.

The group said they had not managed to get advice on when most flights to the UK will resume after the conflict began at the weekend.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Thursday that the UK was set to facilitate flights to help British citizens wanting to leave Israel.

The group of frends had been due to return to Luton on Tuesday on an Easyjet flight from Tel Aviv.

Sue Potter-Clarke, a nurse from Rainham, said: "It took a long time to get through to Easyjet, who told us we would just have to wait to get a flight.

"The British Embassy in Israel told us to find our own way and sort ourselves out.

"We feel really forgotten."

Ms Potter-Clarke, who has epilepsy, said she had almost run out of her medication.

She said: "It is a really scary situation. I don't know what the impact will be on my health if I run out."

Sue Potter-Clarke said she had almost run out of her epilepsy medication

Savannah Potter-Clarke, Sue's daughter, said: "Other tourists from other countries have been repatriated. We are the last people left in the hotel.

"I'm stressing as I have ADHD and autism and this is a massive trigger for me."

The group had all been in their hotel rooms at the weekend when air raid sirens began.

She said: "I was really scared. I woke up and was confused. We had to go down to a bomb shelter in the hotel. People were crying."

In a statement, the Foreign Office said the first flight to the UK was due to leave leave Tel Aviv later on Thursday.

It said: "Further flights are planned in the coming days, subject to the security situation on the ground."

"The UK has also sent a rapid deployment team to Israel to assist British citizens on the ground."

Easyjet said: "Any customers affected by cancellations are eligible for a refund, voucher, or a free of charge transfer to a new flight which includes flying on alternative airlines where no suitable Easyjet options are available.

"We are contacting the group directly to talk to them about their options."

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