Part of it is just time frame, that Israel’s such a young country that they haven’t had much time to develop military pomp and formality, while reverence for guerillas and irregulars and swashbuckling raiders like Ariel Sharon’s parachute battalion, no sticklers for ceremony, are fresh in the mind. Beyond that, the Israeli military has long been individualistic and less rigidly hierarchical in ways that to foreigners might suggest indiscipline or insubordination, but in fact do not compromise combat ability or effectiveness. And I’m sure that the fact that most Israeli young people must spend some of their salad days in the military (universal draft) promotes the idea that they should be able to enjoy themselves, and be free from non-essential discipline and formality, as much as possible while defending their country.
However, lack of discipline is a management problem. That problem unless addressed will, most surely, come back to bite you in the a$$. I am sure you have heard that in order to perform as a good soldier (airman, sailor, Marine, etc.) it is important to look the part. As simplistic as that sounds, it is 100% correct.
An individualistic military will fight or not fight as same, and in the long run, it loses battles and wars that would have otherwise have been won.
If your officer corps, and your NCO corps have not been trained properly, and do not understand the importance of appearance, pride in uniform, discipline and attention to orders, then that's what you get with your young soldiers.
There is no excuse acceptable for a fighting force, especially one that has a large burden to defend an entire nation to allow silliness as was portrayed in the photos.
Just my opinion, but there it is.
Regards,
AR