Israel has accused the Syrian-based leadership of Hamas of being behind the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Cpl Gilad Shalit. The Hamas leader in exile is Khaled Meshaal, a hardliner within the militant group, who survived an Israeli assassination attempt on his life back in 1997. For many Palestinians, Khaled Meshaal is a national hero The Israelis frequently accuse Damascus and militant Palestinian groups based there of orchestrating violence against them. For the Israelis and the Americans, Khaled Meshaal is an uncompromising enemy of peace and the state of Israel. For many Palestinians, he is a national hero, just like the...