The current pattern of attacks by Sharon's Isreali government looks like they are doing it intentionally.

Look at the pattern of the last year or so. Fanatics associated with Hamas or the Islamic Jihad attack Isreali targets. Arafat condems the attacks. Isreal attacks Arafat and ignores the other groups. They get away with this by lumping all the Palastinian groups into one Palastinian movement, despite the fact that Arafat's group and Hamas have fought open battles.

This causes more violence in the area, which gives Sharon more excuses to oppress the Palasinians and take their land, which causes more violence and so on.

As long as the US media is willing to make a major event out of every bombing while ignoring Sharon's slow land grab this tactic will work for Sharon.

It's like Sharon's demand that all violence stop before negotiations can be held to see if Isreal will stop taking Palastinian land or give any back. It's as if your brother was kicking you, and then demands that you stop punching him back before any talk about stopping the kicking can start.

Jay