Skip to main content

British Nationals Abroad: Armed Forces

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

UIN 2655, tabled on 20 November 2023

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if his Department will issue guidance to UK citizens on the legal implications of volunteering in (a) Ukraine and (b) the Israeli Defence Force.

Answered on

24 November 2023

The UK recognises the right of British nationals with additional nationalities to serve in the legitimately recognised armed forces of the country of their other nationalities. The Israel Defence Force is a recognised armed force and British nationals are both able to volunteer into the Israel Defence Force and eligible for national service. For Israel, one does not have to be Israeli to serve in the Israel Defence Force.

FCDO travel advice provides British nationals with information on the risks of travelling or living abroad. The FCDO provides advice to British nationals on the risks of travelling to Ukraine to fight. This guidance can be found on Gov.uk; https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ukraine/safety-and-security

Named day
Named day questions only occur in the House of Commons. The MP tabling the question specifies the date on which they should receive an answer. MPs may not table more than five named day questions on a single day.