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Israel Defense Forces: British Nationals Abroad

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

UIN 6895, tabled on 13 December 2023

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has made an estimate of the number of British nationals that have fought alongside the Israeli Defence Force in each of the last ten years.

Answered on

22 December 2023

We are aware of reports of UK citizens travelling to fight for the Israel Defence Force (IDF), but the Government does not estimate the numbers of those who have done so. 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 IDF is a recognised armed force and British nationals are both able to volunteer into the IDF and eligible for national service. For Israel, one does not have to be Israeli to serve in the IDF.

FCDO travel advice provides British nationals with information on the risks of travelling or living abroad, including in Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories, and this guidance can be found on Gov.uk via the below links;

Israel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/israel/safety-and-security

Occupied Palestinian Territories: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/the-occupied-palestinian-territories/safety-and-security