PanAm747 - I will not defend ElAl as I did not fly with them in a few years for some of the reasons you mentioned and some others. I do not think flying ElAl supports the Israeli economy as ElAl is a monopoly company that loses a lot of taxpayer money and acts like a private profitable one.
However, the security measures you mentioned are why ElAl is considered the safest airline in the world. You don't get that by letting everyone on board without questioning. Heck, I've seen people getting hassled by TSA in any given US airport much more than what you described.