So many things are happening at once, it's hard for me to discern what's of long term consequence and what will turn out to be another footnote in a long list of wrongs. One thing is for sure, The Israeli media isn't doing the country any favors by not reporting the tears.

Universal Disapproval
You wouldn't be able to tell it from watching the mainstream media, but universal disapproval is across the board (except, of course for the US). It's the UN and the crumbling relations with embassies. Israel is adamant to continue "achieving its goals" in the strip.

Mainstream Media Moving to End the War
I've also noticed a trend in the media that started a couple days ago. Non-war related titles are slowly trickling into the main newscasts. It seems that the Israeli mainstream media plans to gradually resume standard programing.

Today, two stories aroused my suspicion that the media is tired of this war. The personal story of a wounded soldier had a more grim outlook than the usual (in contrast to stories of dead soldiers and their crazy families, telling the viewer it was for a good cause). The second story was that our benevolent leader, Ehud Olmert, has been ignoring calls from both Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tzipi Livny. Apparently the two are pushing to end "Cast Lead". The latter story would explain the media ending the war, as far as it's concerned.

An Alternative Arab Parliament
I've mentioned Balad and Ra'am-Ta'al, the Arab parties, being banned from the up and coming election. It seems that they aren't very optimistic about the supreme court's ruling, this time. In an interview to Ha'aretz, Balad Chairman MK Jamal Zahalka said:

"If the High Court of Justice upholds the ban, our call for the establishment of an Arab parliament will gain immense momentum. If we can't be elected to parliament, we'll establish one of our own."

The divide is widening, I dread to think of the internal social consequences of this war.

Human Rights Organizations Wake Up
Nine Israeli human rights organizations have finally woken up (I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they had trouble organizing) and are demanding investigation of the events in Gaza. A press conference was held today. The appeal has been made to the supreme court, that will hopefully make sure that thorough and honest investigations be made.

Personally, I won't be satisfied until the UN makes investigations. I doubt this country (my country?) has the ability to objectively investigate it's own war-crimes.

Firemen are Fascists, Too
This isn't a defining event, but it's another in a long line of repression of resistance to the war against civilians in Gaza. In this video, you can also get the general attitudes in the mainstream media towards this war. The people standing quietly with the signs are protesting the war, next to the air force base. Next to the base is a fire department, watch what happens:

Yes, the firemen are cursing and proudly waving Israel's flag. In the back, the yelling is "let them have it". But then, better firemen with hoses than police men with "rubber bullets".

Questionable Polls
The importance of polls has never been so evident as in the following title:

"More Israeli Jews favor transfer of Palestinians [and] Israeli Arabs"

I don't know who the fuck thought of even entertaining such a racist notion (not to say this hasn't been mentioned by right wing politicians - it has for decades!), but if you want the full statistics, you can head on to Ha'aretz.