Tom,
This is an issue that is full of lies from both sides.
Unless the Israelis have the nutz to go ahead man make it clear that the area is theirs by right of conquest, they have to negotriate with their enemies.
Enemies are bad people.
We seem to get along OK with Sharon and his buddies, who are not savory people.
The Pres has spending a lot face time with an inbred Prince who supports policies to make Hitler proud.
Is Arafat a creep? Yep.
He even ordered the killings of American diplomats in the early 70's, over an open radio link.
We either treat him like an enemy or treat him like a potential partner.
Frankly, if my son got killed by his people, he had best hope that the US is around to protect his skanky bad complexioned ass.
Since we have made the choice to treat him as legit, then we accept his past as well as Sharon's.
That is the way it is.
Ed