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Falling Asleep at the Wheel
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
August 19, 2025, King David Lounge, Lod Airport, Israel
I think we can all agree that falling asleep at the wheel is a bad thing. I think we can agree that by doing so you not only put your own life in danger, but also those of any passenger's unfortunate enough to be traveling with you, as well as those on the road, or the sidewalk. On this point there can be no discussion. I think we can all agree that to allow yourself to be in a position where you are liable to fall asleep at the wheel is the height of irresponsibility. A responsible person should be prepared.
And yet, the logical conclusion from this is strongly rejected, dismissed, or ignored. How so?
Let us be honest, the Israeli political leaders, the highly thought of Intelligence services, the military, and the general public, fell asleep at the wheel and only woke up on the morning of October 7, 2023. I am proud to say that I am not one of those who fell asleep, I have been warning about this my entire life. But those who have power, for the most part, fell asleep, and they ingored the pleas and the warnings of those who were wide awake. And the result was a tragedy. It was only the bravery of the soldiers, police and trained civilians that prevented the Holocaust that was planned. We recovered but we must learn our lessons.
Israel was unprepared on many levels, this is all just beginning to come out, little by little, despite the attempts of the guilty to cover up their sins and transgressions.
But why? There are many reasons, and I cannot go into a complete analysis here, I will leave that to the experts. I have already written extensively about the false mindsight, and of course all my writings are for the purpose of motivating and inspiring people to take up the study of Krav Maga. The army will have to sort itself out without my personal expert guidance. No one is calling me up for advice on national security matters, unfortunately.
What can we, Krav Maga practitioners, and potential Krav Maga students, take from this? What lessons can we learn?
The Israeli army became complacent, they felt secure, they actually actively dismantled entire units!! Yes, it is nearly impossible to believe but they did not feel the threat of Hamas and Hezbollah! They felt secure with less units, less soldiers, and they did not even bother properly equipping these units with basic tools and ammunition. Security was allowed to lapse, training was neglected, basic needs were not even met, as a result morale was also low. There was no clear policy of victory, no real plan, just little reactions, excursions, kill a few terrorists here and there, no master plan whatsoever.
You are a good driver, experienced, but you neglected to take care of the basics, car maintenance, enough coffee, a chocolate bar, a little rest on the side of the road, whatever it takes, you neglect all that and even the best driver can fall asleep at the wheel. This CANNOT be allowed to happen.
Complacency, over confidence, underestimating your opponent, these are all the Deadly Sins!!!
Let's try and summarize some key points, lessons to be learned.
1. Complacency - Never become complacent, always remain vigilant, in all matters of life. You have a successful business, you must keep working on it, you don't rest on past laurels, you must stay hungry!! You have a good marriage, keep working on it, buy flowers.
2. Underestimate - Never underestimate any competitor or enemy. While you just won the boxing world championship and are celebrating with champagne, there is a kid in the ghetto, poor, hungry and motivated. He wants your crown! He is pounding the heavy bag at this very moment, thinking of defeating you. If you let up, he will take your place.
3. Pain - Never forget your pain. Some may say that is not a happy way to live, but I say keep your pain alive, burning, for that will protect you. It need not bring you down, but you can never forget it. When I train in Krav Maga, or shooting, I think of my relatives, being slaves in the Hungarian army, or walking hand in hand into the gas chambers, mothers and daughters. I think of fathers and sons being shot dead on the streets, like dogs, by creatures that are far less than dogs. Never Again! I can smile outwardly but these images never leave me, never. For I know, it can happen again.
4. Memory - This memory must be accompanied by action. Remembering is important but action must be linked to memory.
5. Future - Never be content with the techniques of the past. Don't fight World War Two with World War One weapons.
6. Cover all areas - I have had people say that in their countries firearms were not an issue, so they chose to neglect this area of training. Really? What makes you think it will stop at your borders? I recall when international terrorism was regarded as an "Israeli Issue", and was therefore ignored. Today it is an international issue. Never ignore any area of training.
So get a cup of coffee, and get ready for the ride, don't fall asleep at the wheel. People are counting on you.
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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