This article is a good example of why most in the US have oversimplified the Israeli-Palestinean conflict. Israel is a special friend of the United States, as it should be. Our friends can make mistakes and they have repeatedly done so. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t support them and guarantee the continued existence of the Israeli state with our military. We also have a responsibility to call them out when they do wrong.
The major problem with our policy combined with Sharon is that it gives extremists every incentive to continue bombing. Extremists don’t want a land for peace deal–the want the destruction of Israel. Hamas and others see the way to the destruction of Israel starting with no peace and constant war. By refusing to negotiate when Hamas or other extremist Palestinean attacks, Sharon has created a situation where extremists get exactly what they want. Isn’t that rewarding terrorism?