Did you check how many seats are even unsold on that flight? It's very unlikely that it'll open up so you basically just added a huge amount of time, an extra leg and gave up one of the best business class products on the off chance that the flight will open. Doesn't seem worth it to me....
It is not you or I traveling. Different people have different preferences, and the potential for flying lie-flat with less connections is very important to the passenger here.
I would have probably booked Etihad first, as I find it to be a much better value, but I am not the person travelling (or paying the fees if needed).
As for the CX flight from TLV, I don't have access to a GDS, but on their website it looks decent, allowing a booking for 6 passengers (the maximum they allow on their website) for what looks like discounted business fare: