OP - sorry to hear about your recent delays. A few questions to help me and others perhaps better understand the details.

*Was the delay in DTW due to MX or weather? You mentioned that incoming equipment was late (why?), that MX happened in DTW, and that the GA at JFK said something about weather causing the delay. Or perhaps there was delayed incoming equipment AND MX in DTW. Let us know.

*Did you independently verify alternative rebookings when offered the VDB? In these instances, as well as in IRROPS, DL can usually book onto KLM or AF transatlantic. They have nonstops to DTW and AMS that, with one connection there, would have gotten you to TLV. I never trust the GAs, just because they are low on time and are taking what the system gives them...not because they are purposely trying to pull something on you...and with flights as full as they are these days, it is best to check your options independently.

I love VDBs (rare as they are) because you can almost do anything you want with routing and such, and even if it's the last seat left, if it's available for sale at any price, it's yours (I had an op-up internationally on a VDB once because the GA moved me to an oversold in Main flight, unbeknownst to me).

*Regarding your back and forth with customer service - what specifically do you want (besides an apology) that they haven't granted yet? Compensation? If so, what do you think is fair, and have you proposed it to your CS representative yet?