Despite the devastating impact of the 1986 earthquake, Kalamata recovered and has expanded over the years. Occupying approximately four-square miles, it comprises all manner of buildings, young and old, a large proportion of which are apartment blocks like mine. Being on a roof I have spectacular views and most evenings I sit on the terrace, where there’s a cooling breeze, taking it all in. I see a prosperous city, its population enjoying relatively healthy lifespans, with functioning schools and healthcare, and a low crime rate.

On my first night here looking out at the expanse of buildings like mine, in a city on the Mediterranean coast, it made me think of another on the Mediterranean coast, 900 miles away. It seems almost crass to see similarities when there are such massive differences but I imagined looking out at rubble, on the brink of famine in a city where more than 50,000 people have been killed since October 2023, many incinerated in their sleep. The similarity in appearance, if nothing else, made me think that, had history and geopolitics been different, it could just as easily have been here. The children I can see playing in the school across the road, all the people I saw at the food market yesterday, the family I can see as I write, laughing together at the barbecue they’re having on their balcony.

Last Tuesday Starmer told MPs that Israel’s recent actions are “appalling” but refused to accuse Netanyahu of genocide, saying that he’d “keep looking at further action” including sanctions. In the same week, polling commissioned by campaign group, Global Justice Now, found that more than 3 in 5 Brits (62%) would support sanctions aimed at stopping attacks on Gaza. Just 11% said they’d oppose them. Surely, it’s time to move on from “keeping looking” and to take action.

It’s easy to become numbed and inured to the daily horrors we only witness but Palestinians endure, but there are things we can do. There are several petitions on the go (just Google ‘petition Gaza genocide’), and you can write to your MP, as I just have. Find out who yours is here if you don’t know: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP.

Have a nice day ….