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Not Required Self Defense
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
September 15, 2026, South Africa - Israel
Young Imi Lichtenfeld, the man who popularized Krav Maga in the early years, a great athlete from Slovakia. He later escaped to Israel and participated in a Krav Maga instructor course, see History Krav Maga.
An older Imi Lichtenfeld, now wearing a short. Sad truth - we all age.
We seek Truth in training. We seek truth in self-defense.
In South Africa I had discussions with many who experienced Fear, Terror, Violence. I listen and I learn from them. Our system is based on the Dark Side of the Moon, on the ugliness in mankind that I have seen all over the world. This is what IKI Krav Maga is based upon.
The violence I have seen during a lifetime in Israel, the violence I have seen while living in Los Angeles and New York and Miami, Florida. Violence is real, it is not a wrestling or boxing class, it is not a tournament, and it is not what most teach as "Krav Maga", that is why we differ on many techniques and in our approach.
Most systems approach self-defense from a perspective of Panic and Hope, not careful planning. Their training scenarios begin with the attack, ours do not, our training scenarios begin long before the actual physical attack. Their training involves trying to hit, to fight back, after the fight is already essentially lost. Panic, hit and hope, is not a system of self-defense; it is a lack of careful planning on how to survive.
Our system is designed for survival.
First, Whom are we for?
The weak, the man in a wheelchair, the older individual past his prime.
Teenage Girls.
Those who are battling cancer, and yes, we have such members.
SWAT team members, military, police, security guards, body builders, men and women of all ages.
That is whom we are for. Our techniques are not "soft", they are powerful and suited for all types of people, not only super Olympic type athletes or professional fighters.
What is Required
Desire to learn, a sense of humility and an understand of what we face.
What is NOT Required
Above average Speed, Strength, Precision, Coordination.
Above average fitness, flexibility, ability to memorize and learn complex tasks.
Our system is designed to be easy to learn, for busy people, for people suffering from anxiety, poor health, and for people in the peak of their health and youth. We are the perfect system for imperfect people, and as Abraham Lincoln said, The Lord loves homely people, that is why he created so many of them, and we paraphrase the wise president, the Lord loves ordinary, average people, imperfect people, and that is why he created so many of them.
We do not expect you to be young and strong forever. There is an old Israeli song...not 16 anymore, and not so beautiful. We age. and sometimes we do not age as we wish, sometimes we no longer have the flexibility or mobility that we once had. That is called life. IKI Krav Maga is designed for life, for you, For all of us. We are an inclusive system. The NBA is an exclusive system. I will not be applying for the NBA or the NFL anytime soon, but we can all master IKI Krav Maga.
Moshe Katz, 8th dan Black Belt, Israeli Krav Maga. Certified by Wingate Institute. Published author, 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.
Let's take you to the Next Level of REAL Training TODAY
Or is someone coming to save you?
IKI Krav Maga online distance training - Leading to ranks and certification.
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