Yes, the redemption rate has increased from 20K to 25K, but the TLV flight has benefitted from using Long- haul aircraft and service, for a flight of around 4 hours.
The CE product to IST / ATH / LCA is, as I am sure you are aware, not the best, is similar distance / flying time and does not get anything like the number of tier points.
I have tried most the options, including LH/LX.... and prefer the BA product.
The threshold changes for exec. club appear to be driven by uniformity across the "one world" brand.
These changes, whilst unwelcome, will not alter my choice of Airline. BA.