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What We Can Choose
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
October 23, 2025, Israel
Crowded subway, New York City, this used to be my main mode of transportation.
Thompson Street (Manhattan), known, at least at the time, as a "no go area". (a younger me, on the right, 2nd row, 2nd person).
Some of their better-known residents; Notable residents
- Thomas Eboli, at 177 Thompson Street, mobster who was acting boss of the Genovese crime family.
- Carmine Galante, at 206 Thompson Street, mobster and acting boss of the Bonanno crime family.
- Vincent Gigante, at 181 and 238 Thompson Street, Italian-American mobster who was boss of the Genovese crime family. Known as "The Chin".
- Bernhard Goetz, at 211 Thompson Street, the Subway Shooter.
- Anthony Strollo, 177 Thompson Street, mobster who served as a high-ranking capo of the Genovese crime family.
- Frank Zappa, at 180 Thompson Street, composer, singer-songwriter, guitarist, recording engineer, music producer and film director.
In life we will face many challenges, there are some we can avoid if we are careful and there are some that we cannot avoid, and there are some that will come as a complete surprise. The Tourism industry in Israel, as like all of us, did not anticipate 3 years of Coronavirus related economic restrictions followed by 2 years of a 7-front war. The Dead Sea hotel area is dead. Restaurants and attraction parks, closed. Krav Maga visitors, nearly non-existent. And yet we must cope. We did not choose this, and there was no way for the average person to avoid or circumvent this.
When it comes to personal self-defense there are also factors that we can control, and factors that we cannot control. Let us call this, things we can choose and things that we cannot choose.
There are things that we cannot choose.
Where we live - You might say we can choose were to live, but not always. What if you are poor and you find that the only place you can currently afford is a "bad neighborhood". Daily, on your way to work or school you face the threat of violence. Move to a better area? currently not possible.
Where we work - Your job is in a bad part of town, but that is the only job you can currently find. There are no other current options. You have to work.
Mode of transportation - You take the train to work, the subway. I used to take the "1" train in New York City, notorious for muggings and violent crime. Walking is worse, a limo, a taxi, you can't afford it. You are stuck for the moment. This is your reality. So, you'd better toughen up and learn how to deal with it. That part will be your choice.
What we can choose - Training, gun, awareness, attitude, knowledge.
Sometimes we cannot change our circumstances, but we can adapt as humans have for hundreds of thousands of years. We adapt to our environment or we become extinct. Our species learned to live among wild animals, in arctic climates, in desert climates, on trees, on cliffs, in extreme cold and extreme heat. And we must adapt to our lives in tough neighborhoods. In Israel we must adapt to living in a very hostile environment, in New York I had to adapt to traveling through notoriously dangerous areas. For my martial arts training I ventured into areas that people joked, "If you make it home alive, you have earned your black belt". I faced my share of challenges.
It is our choice to learn to defend ourselves, in every way possible, Awareness, Appearance, Self-defense training, weapons.
Awareness - Learn to be aware of your surroundings, spot suspicious characters and suspicious behavior.
Appearance - Do not look like a victim, do not dress like a victim, do not act like a victim. Do not dress in a way that attracts unwanted attention. This is part of our training program at IKI.
Self-defense training - Learn basic self-defense, Krav Maga, simple and practical moves.
Weapons - Where legally permitted, consider owning a gun, and learning how to use it correctly.
Myth - Resistance makes it worst.
Some excuse themselves from all training and all responsibility by claiming that resistance is futile and that "it will only make matters worse". The truth proves otherwise.
Police Stats - the better prepared you are, the better your survival rate. This comes directly from police reports, a careful analysis of data in the USA shows clearly that the better trained one is, the better the chance of survival. Not only that, but stats show that criminals are more reluctant to approach someone who looks like he/she knows what they are doing.
Myth - You can't defend against a gun. The truth is that yes, you can overcome a person with a gun. Not only do we have proven, tested techniques, that have worked in real life, but often, even when shots are fired, they are so inaccurate that there is a good chance of survival and overpowering the criminal. If all they want is money, OK, but if they want your life? Your children? Giving in is simply not an option. If you have your doubts, study the footage from October 7, 2023 in Israel. Resistance is anything but futile.
Myth - You cannot overcome a street thug or gang member. According to police studies this is not true. There are many factors involved but many have indeed survived violent street attacks and overcome the aggressive criminal. According to the studies many attackers untrained, while they may have street experience, which is important, they are not really great fighters, or martial artists. They are not use to a skilled confident opponent. While we certainly never underestimate any opponent, we should also not underestimate our own potential. As long as we able to, we should train and prepare for any eventuality. In IKI we have had many reports from all over the world of students who managed to protect themselves against street violence, guns, knives, rifles, armed and unarmed attacks. Do not give up, do not sell yourself short. Do not give up without a fight.
Poor quality guns, jams - Detailed police reports indicate that a surprisingly high number of gun threats are actually not effective due to, fake guns, poor quality guns (obtained illegally) and jams on these poorly maintained weapons. This serves further to shatter the myth that a criminal with a firearm is an insurmountable obstacle. Again, one must always consider the circumstances. If all they want is money and you feel you can safely hand over some money and walk away, that should be considered, but if they will be taking you away, separating you from you children, or leading you to an underground tunnel where you might spend years and then die, remember - you have options. The fact that the assailant is armed is not the "end of the sentence". You have options.
Criminals admit - Police interviews with former criminals who know changed sides and work with law enforcement reveal that they look for easy targets; Unprotected homes, distracted individuals, tourists, people with money. We need to learn to avoid being an easy target. If they want our money, they are going to work for it, just as we have, they will not get it without a fight. Protect your home, protect your car, invest in yourself so that you are not an easy target. Do not flash money in public. Do not "dress to impress".
Bottom Line - We did not choose to be born. We did not choose our life circumstances. We did not choose our skin color or religion or gender, but all these may turn us into a target. But rather than complain, understand what you can choose, and choose correctly. I choose not to be a victim. Will you join me?
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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