There’s no need to shout it from the rooftops – because everyone knows – but who would blame you if you did? It’s the first long weekend of the summer – Labour weekend.
Even though it’s still technically spring, many of us think of this weekend as the symbolic beginning of summer. Traditionally the start of the tramping season, it’s also the start of plenty of other summer activities.
People will be getting out chilly bins ahead of beach visits, dusting off diving gear, pulling out their togs from under piles of winter woollies, and generally getting ready for some fun in the sun. Well, maybe not sun every day [let’s not get ahead of ourselves], but you get the gist. We can bank on longer, warmer days, and for many the prospect of a long summer holiday is almost within reach.
In this corner of the world, the next four or five months will include an increasing number of meals courtesy of the bbq, a few days away camping, walking, and other outdoor activities. Even those with little left over at the end of each week can look forward to a few days off and the chance to spend time with friends and family or have a day at the beach.
In other corners of the world, the outlook is considerably less appealing.
News broke yesterday that a wide-ranging travel warning had been issued for United States citizens. The US State Department has asked its citizens travelling abroad to be vigilant in light of events in Israel and Gaza.
The wording of the warning left little to the imagination.
“Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against US citizens and interests, the Department of State advises US citizens overseas to exercise increased caution.”
Americans overseas have also been asked to be aware of threats posed in tourist spots. Entitled ‘Worldwide Caution’, the warning is prominently displayed on the State Department’s website and follows an earlier warning displayed in red about the Middle East, and an advisory about charter flights from Israel back to the US.
“We urge those wishing to leave [Israel] to take advantage of the charters while they are available. Flight departures will continue on a rolling basis from Ben Gurion International Airport through at least Sunday, October 22. Embassy personnel will be present to direct you and provide specific flight information. Be prepared to wait.”
It seems inevitable that the conflict there will escalate. No amount of desperate last-ditch efforts by foreign diplomats is going to produce a truce or a ceasefire or similar.
Hundreds of thousands of people are affected. Families will have been and continue to be separated. It will get worse. So, while some may have had their travel plans disrupted, for many others closer to the conflict, the consequences of an escalation could not be more serious.
New Zealand is a long way from the conflict. But there will be many here who have close connections to those affected through family and other ties. We can expect more protest here, and more demands of our yet-to-be-formed new government to make a diplomatic stand for peace.
