Some see Israel as an aggressive, militant, marauding people. I happen to see them as a very paranoid and defensive people -- and for good reason, given history.
You know why 911 didn't happen in Israel? They've had significant security at their airports for years. We are a more open and trusting society, or at least, we were.
Let's say we didn't spend all these billions on wars in the ME and instead spent the money building a Palestinian state. Do you think this would've solved the issue? It kinda reminds me of the guy with the "Will work for food" sign. I actually offered one of these guys some work once. Once.