In arab culture, handholding is something that occurs between equals. From a protocol point of view it does not send a bad signal to the middle east, although Americans think it is less than 'manly'.
The bow, and especially the "salaam", where the person bowing lifts the hand of the other and may kiss it, is the gesture of an inferior, a dhimmi or a slave, to his master.
That 2nd pic looks like a bad photoshop, btw.
Looks like we have a few of those on FR.
That is interesting. I have spent a considerable amount of time in the Kingdom as well as other Arab States and never walk around hand in hand with my associates. Moreover, when my Arab associates come to the United States, I do not walk around holding their hand.