Also Israel is not "the only democracy in the region". Even if you want to argue that Egypt isn't at that point yet, Turkey is often included in the region, and there's also Lebanon right next door. Also remember all that junk we heard years ago about free elections in Iraq? Some of the emirates are also fairly democratic with a basically constitutional monarch setup now, like Kuwait. Cyprus is also unquestionably part of the region geographically.
While I would not call it oppressive, I wouldn't call Kuwait "fairly democratic." Both Lebanon and Cypress are failed states, with de facto partitions. Iraq is still in a formative state, at best.
The reasons are several:
1. Israel is of Western origin in both its population and its institutions:
A. Its governmental structures are very similar to European parliamentary democracies, especially Germany (but without the federalism). The courts are independent.
B. Especially its leadership. Even the native born leaders have strong ties to Europe or America, to the point that the current PM graduated from high school within 10 miles from me.
2. There is a emotional tie, not just with Jews, but with a number of Christian fundamentalists.
3. Israel is stable. No PM could grab power in a way that was seen with Morsi.
