In the end, what it shows is that one person's "freedom fighter" is the other person's "terrorist," and it doesn't matter if that's person was Begin or Arafat. It depends on which side of the wire you live.

What all history does show is that so many outsiders have tried to decide the future for people of the region that everyone is hated by everyone else because of it.

Which is why all outsiders need to realize that they can do no good there by their interference, no matter how well-intentioned it may be. All that has eventually happened is that all of the people of the region have become so dependent on other's money and protection that they won't move forward on their own for fear (or arrogance) of losing the money and protection. And what makes it worse is that there is a coalition of US politicians who forget their role is what's best for the US and not what's best for other nations.

Divided loyalties by our elected/appointed officials mean failure to adhere to one's oath of office, be that congressperson, judge or federal executive. And if the oath the person took when s/he was elected/appointed is violated to the benefit of another nation, then that's treason, pure and simple. There is no justification to place the interests of the US secondary to that of another nation.