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Compassioniate Passionate People
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
August 11, 2026, Israel
A group of kind, loving, compassionate people, but very tough and capable of handling themselves in fight. Do not confuse politeness with weakness.
There is an argument I have been hearing for a long time, and it is time to address it openly, honestly, and bluntly.
The argument I used to see in my early years, when IKI Krav Maga first came to international prominence, is that...Moshe Katz is a nice guy, a religious guy, as if these facts contradict being an effective Krav Maga instructor. The message is...he is soft spoken, looks ordinary, i.e. not like the Hulk or the Terminator, just a regular guy, and ergo, he cannot possible be a real Krav Maga instructor.
Interesting.
Over the years these silly mindless accusations have disappeared as I have twice been inducted into the martial arts hall of fame, Europe and USA, and more importantly racked up over one thousand international seminars, not including those in Israel. Being awarded an 8th dan is another not bad achievement, but periodically the insults resurface. Basically, if I don't curse and beat people up at seminars, somehow I cannot be a good instructor.
I believe that says more about the "commentators" than about me or IKI.
Recently I saw an advertisement by someone I know, it was showing women using their arms to block their head. This is a terrible defense, and I have proven it many times live and on video, but that is a topic for another time. I commented that there are better ways to defend against such attacks and I offered some suggestions.
The response I received was illogical and offensive, and once again the old accusation resurfaced, the charge? You are kind, loving, and compassionate people, and therefore your Krav Maga is no good.
Not all techniques work, when put under stress or pressure. and a few simple moves does not work in that situation.
Techniques not tested under pressure won't work. Also most of the people you training are loving compassionate people. Not fighters.
You need to in a safe way as possible show them even when the scared and hit, that it is not so bad, they are still able to continue and survive.
Let us analyze this statement.
Not all techniques work- Of course we agree that not all techniques work, and that is why IKI is constantly studying real life cases, interviewing those who survived real life assaults, and analyzing these cases and learning from them. We are the last ones to be complacent. Every technique is pressure tested under the most stressful conditions possible without actually jumping someone in the street or attacking them while asleep in their bed.
A few simple moves - Actually, that is the only thing that can work, a few simple moves as applied correctly to a wide variety of situations. Complex moves will most certainly not work; it is against nature. At IKI we have taken a vast number of complex situations, found the common denominator and reduced our toolbox to a few simple moves that can be applied to an infinite number of situations. That is the essence of real-life self-defense. We can remember a few techniques; we can understand concepts. We cannot memorize complex techniques and then access them real time, the brain simply does not work that way.
Train in a Safe Way - Of course! This is obvious and this actually negates what this individual is writing, he is contradicting himself. No one wants to get hurt in training, other than a few psychopaths. Students are coming to learn to protect themselves, not get hurt. We must be careful not to hurt them while training them to protect themslevs. As my teacher Itay Gil used to say, Don't do the terrorists' job for him.
Most of the people you training are loving compassionate people. Not fighters - And here we have the crux of the matter, the main charge against us, we are "loving compassionate people". Well, that is exactly the kind of people we are looking for in our instructors, care deeply about our students and do our best to help them. Being compassionate is not a black mark against us, it is a virtue. Being a kind person does not mean one does not know how to be a killer when need be. Our own King David was the perfect example of this, the sweet singer of Israel, the man who composed many Psalms, is also the man of whom they wrote "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands." (Samuel Book 1, Chapter 18)
I had a friend, a doctor, a very kind and soft-spoken individual. Once while seeing me, he commented, People see my softness as weakness, and they try to take advantage of me, but then they see a different side of me, a vigilant warrior for justice. But it is not a different side of me, it is the same side. Treat me well, you get kindness, try and decieve me, and you will be fired upon, all guns at once. Very wise man.
The people who offer this criticism of me and our method of Krav Maga clearly know nothing about the Jewish people, the State of Israel or Imi Lichtenfeld, one of the best-known early instructors of Krav Maga. (but not the founder as many think, see our Krav Maga History for the true story).
Let's start with the Jewish people. We are taught to be gentle, to be the merciful sons of the merciful. We are trained in gentleness and humility and modesty. That is how our education system works. Traditionally we eschew military heroes. Our heroes are mostly rabbis, men of the spirit. While the Greeks and the Romans made heros of gladiators we made heros of men and women who chose death over submission, a life of following God rather than submission to heathens. Using Force is always seen as a last resort.
And yet look at our army, man for man the best army in the world. From being victims, we are now criticized for "disproportionate" success in killing our enemies. That means, in combat we kill far more of them then they can kill of us, and for this the world criticizes us. Nearly every Arab who crossed the border and invaded Israel on October 7th is either dead or lock up in a top security prison. We always get our man, always. And yet, these very same boys who come back from battle victorious return to their yeshiva, their academy, to study the holy books, we are still gentle warriors. The warrior prefers to return to his books, or his university studies, or his farm or his music. We dislike war, we dislike killing, yet we are damn good at it, perhaps the best in the world these days.
To accuse me of being compassionate is the same as saying, you look like a typical Jew. You may mean it as an insult, but I take it as a compliment. This is who we are, and we are proud of it, we enter the world to bring peace, but we prepare for war, and if need be, we will fight like Hell. Understand the Jewish people and you will understand IKI, a true form of Jewish self-defense and Krav Maga.
Over the years I have met many students of Imi Lichtenfeld. They have, without exception, described him in the same way, a kind man, a good sense of humor, never bullied, insulted or put down anyone. Perhaps we can summarize all that, plus what was written about him in many sources, not only Krav Maga sources, in one word, Compassionate! But wait, oh no, that is a bad word for some, you cannot be compassionate in Krav Maga, and if your students are compassionate this must mean that you train in a weak, patsy, girly, ineffective sort of way. If that is how you think, again, that is a reflection on yourself, not on us.
I have worked, train with, and been trained by many Professional full contact fighters, MMA fighters, kickboxing champions, Muay Thai champions, again, all kind, soft spoken, gentle, easy to laughter. I guess being that they are nice people their training must be ineffective. but then how did they win all those fights?
I recall training with Kru Phil Nurse, what a man. I asked if I could take some photos during class, he laughed, took my camera and climbed upon the ropes, you train Moshe and I will get some good shots! and yet he was the British champion in two weight classes, and a nice guy, Hmmm
I trained with Vee Arnis Jujitsu Master David James, I don't know if I have ever met a kinder, gentler, more Compassionate man, I guess according to some that negates his 50 years of training and street experience.
My late friend, counter terror expert Shai Ish Shalom, who participated in the Raid on Entebbe and many other international counter-terror operations was a kind, gentle and compassionate man who always had time for others. His name in fact means "Man of Peace".
I have a friend, a devout Jew of Yemeni heritage, let's just call him AD. He is soft spoken, kind and gentle, he has a slight built and a sweet voice. He is also one of Israel's top active counter-terror experts. I would call him compassionate, and the Israeli army calls him when they need the most fearless warrior they can think of. There is no contraction. That is who are, gentle, compassionate warriors. Fail to understand that, and you fail to understand Krav Maga.
SWAT team leaders, Bounty Hunters, Maximum security prison guards, presidential guards - I have trained them all, all over the world. These men have to deal with the most brutal criminals and yet they choose me and IKI to teach them.
And yes, I am compassionate, and I am very passionate about self-defense. Smile at me, and I will smile back, try to hurt me and you will see something very different, best not to know...yet.
Nasty people are not welcome - When asked, what do I look for in a Krav Maga instructor, my answer is Love, you must love your students. If you are not compassinoate and passionate, you are not worthy of teaching our style.
We are kind, loving, compassionate and passionate, and we are proud of it.
Comments
Anyone who says that:
1) Doesn't know their history.
2) Knows nothing about Israel
3) Has not truly studied your system.
Yes, you are a wonderful, compassionate, amazing person. That does not exclude you from being able to not only be a master in your training but to train others as well.
Do NOT think that because someone has a good heart, that they don't walk through life looking for violence, that they aren't capable of violence when called for.
Sheresa Waller, Florida, USA
In our training together, I've personally felt your incredible strength and stability in some of the impacts we've shared, and I've experienced a level of technical precision that leaves absolutely no room for nonsense — a technique that gets maximum results with minimum effort. And with over forty years of Shotokan Karate behind me, both as a student and as an instructor, I know very well what I'm feeling when I come across that kind of skill.
Master Joseph, Italy
Some voices are just noise. Noise can be filtered or just ignored. I stand by your Krav Maga as an excellent self defense system that allows you to take your defense to whatever level is necessary.
Joe Angeli, Illinois, USA
Being calm and respectful does not mean we don’t know how to act when necessary. That is one of the reasons we follow you, Moshe: your authenticity, your experience, and the wisdom you bring to what you teach.
Strength is not about brutality or constantly pushing ourselves to the point of breaking. It is about awareness, self-control, and knowing how to use our abilities wisely.
S. Tapia, Mexico
your students are in good hands...you and I are the opposite in approach, but both effective for our students
I met you in person, many years ago , technical you are...not weak by any means
Mike Lee Kanarek
Everything you said is the reason that I became interested in and then an instructor in IKI Krav Maga. I was looking for a compassionate system of self-defense, not a martial art. You have provided that for me and I greatly appreciate it. I only wish I had found out about IKI earlier than at age 70. And now I'm at age 80. I could have been much more active at an earlier age. And yet, I am glad that I have been able to teach some people.
Today September 12th, is the 53rd anniversary of my ordination as a Lutheran pastor.
Bob Forsberg, USA
Moshe Katz, 7th dan Black Belt, Israeli Krav Maga. Certified by Wingate Institute. Member Black Belt Hall of fame, USA and Europe.
Understand the Israeli Fighting Mentality - Israel a Nation of Warriors by Moshe Katz
What is the cultural background of Krav Maga? What makes it unique? What makes the Israeli military so effective? Why are Israeli security systems used all over the world?
What are the Biblical origins of Krav Maga and who was the first Krav Maga instructor?
What weapons and military strategies did our Biblical ancestors use?
How has Krav Maga developed in Israel and what are its goals?
All that and more in this unique book.
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