and there are crazy fanatics on all sides, nearly always inspired by literal interpretations and extreme religious beliefs, which is the real culprit here. Were it not for the nefarious influence of religion, I believe it would be possible for the two sides to negociate a meaningful land-for-peace-and-security arrangment, and gain the necessary support of more rational people in both camps.

However, I don't see how you can equate or imply any kind of moral equivalence in the nature and actions of the Israeli government and the PA. I see some very fundamental differences.

Israel is a democracy.

The leadership of the PA (i.e. Arafat's cronies) is incompetent and corrupt beyond belief, having embezzled at least 25% of the PA's budget.

Israel is a far more secular state and society than the Palestinian entity (the crazy right-wing settlers are actually a very small minority, even if they do at times have political leverage - they aren't running the show, as is the case for the Islamic terrorists in the Palestinian community)

Israel does a lot more to rein in their extremists than does the PA, which is nothing at all. If Israel had known that Baruch Goldstein was going to murder 20 Palestinians, they would have tried to stop him. The PA on the other hand shows no inclination to stop any terrorist activity.

Israel takes defensive actions which regrettably result in civilian deaths by accident, or in some cases carelessness. Palestinain Hamas terrorists intentionally murder Jewish Israeli civilians, the PA knows about it, and does nothing to stop them.

I can think of no reason why the Israeli actions to assassinate Hamas terrorists deeply involved in murdering Israeli civilians aren't completely justifiable acts of self defense. Israel should be commended, not criticized, for blasting to hell two leading Hamas figures this week. It was every bit as justified as American military actions to punish Osama Bin Laden, and trying to prevent him from killing more Americans in terrorists acts. What would you have the Israelis do, wait until the terrorist walks into a nightclub with a bomb straped around himself before being allowed to try to stop him?