Group flee Israel as conflict with Iran escalates

Bana Gora, pictured in 2019, is among a group of people who have fled Israel

A group of about 45 people from Bradford say they have been "abandoned" by the UK government after being caught amid escalating military action between Israel and Iran.

The group, led by the Muslim Women's Council, travelled to Jerusalem on 9 June for a spiritual visit to Al-Aqsa Mosque and to promote peace.

But as the conflict in the Middle East has intensified, they say they found themselves trapped and have received "very little support" from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The FCDO said the safety and security of all British citizens was the government's "top priority" and it was working "around the clock" to help those in crisis.

The group, which includes at least one young child, managed to leave Israel and cross into neighbouring Jordan, stopping in the capital city of Amman.

Bana Gora, CEO of the Muslim Women's Council, said: "We crossed borders on our own. We are British citizens, yet we were abandoned in a war zone. If we were white British, would it have been different?"

Previous advice had told Britons to avoid "all travel to parts of Israel".

This was updated to warn against "all but essential travel" to the country after a state of emergency was declared on 13 June.

On 15 June, Britons were warned against all travel to Israel amid the escalation in the country's military activity with Iran.

The group are now in Amman in Jordan, where they say sirens and the sound of missiles can be heard in the skies above them

In a longer video posted online, Ms Gora described her experience as traumatising.

"We never expected that we were walking into a war zone," she said.

"We've suffered a great deal of trauma, crossing borders, trying to get out [and with] very little support from our FCDO. We're so disappointed. We can't express how disappointed we are."

Even after fleeing to Jordan, she said uncertainty remained with sirens going off and missiles flying over the country, which she said were being intercepted by Jordanian forces.

"We are not sure if we'll even make the flights tomorrow that we've booked that constantly are being cancelled," Ms Gora said on Tuesday night.

Bana Gora, pictured with an unidentified man thought to be part of the delegation, has shared several videos on social media from the group's current base

The BBC understands Bradford MPs Naz Shah, Imran Hussain and Judith Cummins have all made appeals to the Foreign Office for urgent action.

When first approached for comment, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office directed the BBC to remarks made by Foreign Secretary David Lammy in the House of Commons on Monday.

However on Tuesday night a spokesperson said the safety and security of Britons in the region was their "top priority".

"This is a fast-moving situation that has the potential to deteriorate further, quickly and without warning. That is why we are encouraging British nationals to register their presence and pay close attention to travel advice," a spokesperson said.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.