No one should take the security procedures personally while going in and out of Israel - everyone goes through it and it's for everyone's protection. Once you get through the fun begins. Israelis are not service oriented nor are they very polite but I've found them to be very helpful and friendly in personal rather than work situations. Tel Aviv is a fun city with young people out till all hours of the nite - including swimming in the Mediterranean at 2AM. The old center of the city is the most colorful and exciting - Neve Tzedek, Kerem ha Temanim (The Yemenite Quarter - best 4 yemenite restaurants), Nahalat Binyamin pedestrian mall, Shenkin street for the young and hip, Carmel Market, Old Jaffa and the flea market, and if you like Bauhaus architecture the area around Rothschild Blvd. Tel Aviv is a gay friendly city and very open and accepting of everyone. I don't feel Tel Aviv is worth a trip on its' own but if one is going to Israel then Tel Aviv should be included and won't disappoint. The food is very good too.