When Israel was founded 60 years ago, I can understand why the Jewish wanted an own nation. They were prosecuted in Europe for centuries, with it's peak in the Holocaust in the Third Reich. The only problem was that the region they founded their state already was inhabited by the Palestinians. But, since many European countries felt responsible for the Jewish and the USA had a powerful Jewish population, the Jewish were supported and the Palestinians had to leave their home. This caused reactions like Harregarre describes them. And as Israel now is threatened by Arab nations they react as described in the question. And people on both sides only see the injustice done by the other side and so justify their gouvernment's reaction. And talking about US politics: I think the greatest problem isn't that the USA is involved, but that President Bush wanted to leave the situation as it is right now (or actually 8 years ago) with the USA not involved. And that would really mean to leave an overpowered Israel that would be able to invade or even evtinguish all neighbour countries.
This is my oppinion on this topic.