It's not realistic to bash Sharon considering the real threat posed by the UN if the US can't or wont veto sanctions against Israel or a trial for "war crimes". And it isn't realistic to deny that Israel was asked to stand down during the gulf war.
Draw your conclusions from the facts, not from defensiveness. You are too smart to let those who get off on bashing Bush for everything determine your position.
They were asked not to initiate attacks however they were never told they could not defend themselves. Look Sharon is either the leader of a sovereign nation or he is not. Arafat has been under Israeli control for 30 years. The Israelis have let him live and for one purpose only. They know as bad as he is, there are many that are worse to take his place. They have negotiated with him steadily for decades. As long as Arafat is the leader of the Palestinians, and as long as it is left to the United States to mediate between the two sides, then we have NO choice in the matter. Does Israel honestly believe the US would abandon them if they stood up and took this guy out. Don't be ridiculous.