The intent of the kiss for one thing. Have you seen on new reports where European men kiss as a greeting? I will admit that in that link Arafat and his "friend" got carried away but since it is in Arabic you don't get the full meaning of the report.
As Americans we need to be careful with our prejudices when dealing with other cultures. I had a missionary friend who spent a couple years in the Middle East and he shared that it is common, even mandatory for Arab men to touch while in conversation. It is not uncommon to see Arab men holding each other thighs.
Have you read the Biblical account where Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac? Ask any rabbi where Abraham told the servant to place his hand. Under the thigh is understood by the Jews a lot differently than by you or me. In plain English we would say that Abraham's servant had him by the short hairs.