Also, the image that the majority of Israelis consciousness as meaningful isn't the civil government, but the army.

That is a militarized society, even if it isn't technically military and I think that is not a positive thing. Add to that the army is, as I've said, a platform for identity later in life and it affects employment and education and everything, it gives a distinct advantage to those who served (the capacity also changes the privilege) which creates an automatic disadvantage to those who haven't served.