I think some of the real issues are being missed here. First, Airborne operation in a conventional sense generally rely on getting fighting soldiers behind the enemy (thus, they are typically light fighters) or in extreme cases, in front of the enemy as a temp blocking force, flanking etc...Some consider Airborne obsolete....I do not.
Second, while the "need" of Airborne can be debated, it is usually true that Airborne Units have excellent morale. They do consider themselves "elite". (God, I do HATE that word) Thus, they usually perform well in battle because of their belief that they are good. It's a mind thing.
Last but not least. IDF are a formidable foe. 90% defensive in design, extremely well trained, committed to what they do, and excellent fighters. While they do use US technology to some degree, you will almost ALWAYS find an IDF modification to it. They take a good idea and modify it to fit. Smart fighters, they dont have the luxary of making big mistakes and surviving.
Thier Airborne Units....both conventional and SpecOps are, in my opinion, as good as any. Depth is the weakness....(see SMART above.)