Gamanit if no one in Israel aside from family members had text it’s still worth it to have the option.
I gained by getting a smartphone because i now pay significantly less for my data plan than I did in America and my plan includes unlimited everything. Also a smartphone with unlimited data automatically comes with an American line because there’s a free app that has a free American number with free incoming calls and free texting. It would be so much harder to live here if I couldn’t text the states because with the time difference and people’s work schedules it’s really difficult to find time to talk.