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World Without Violence
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
July 25, 2025, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Krav Maga is about protecting us from violence, both physical and emotional. It is about standing our ground, not allowing others to violate our personal space, take our belongings, or humiliate us, or harm us in any way. It is both physical and emotional self-protection and self-preservation.
In a perfect world ...well, there is no perfect world.
Our friend Daniel tells us there is no violent crime in this region. The people fear God and are good and honest. He shows us that even women walk the streets freely at night, without fear. (and no, they are not "Ladys of the night").
I experienced this myself as Esther and I went for a walk. Even children were out on the street at night, sadly there is a great deal of poverty, and the children were hustling and trying to earn a few Birrs, Ethiopian currency. They had scales and were offering to weigh you for a charge. However, after a full meal of injera and Ethiopian pastry, we were reluctant, no thanks. And yet, it was true, unlike other areas of Africa were people dare not challenge the Darkness of the Night, here, all was calm, as it should be, people in groups, individuals, just enjoying the nighttime.
Indeed, my research confirms what Daniel told us, there is very little violent crime in Ethiopia today. The most serious crime is online fraud, and while that is indeed serious, it is not violent. In certain areas there is also the danger of pickpocketing, and I am told if you leave your cellphone on a chair, it might disappear quickly. Thus, it is not utopia, but as far as most of the world goes, it is pretty darn close.
And I feel the need to point out another fact, many like to excuse the violent crimes of others by pointing out the levels of poverty. I have always rejected this argument. Jews throughout history have been poor, despite the myths and anti-Jewish stereotypes, but Jews rarely resorted to violence. It is a cultural factor. And here in Ethiopia, one of the poorest countries in the world, there is hardly any violent crime. Let us drop excuses for violent behavior. Poverty does not equal criminal.
And this raises the question, what would be the role of Krav Maga if violent crime was indeed eliminated?
I would answer that the need for Krav Maga would never go away. First, human nature, sadly, is what it is, and while at certain times and certain places it is reduced, this does not mean that it is gone. It will never be gone, and better to be prepared than surprised.
In Ethiopia a large proportion of the young people are unemployed, this does not bode well. And, sadly, the access to international "culture" teaches young people that violence can get them what they want, it also teaches that certain groups justify and indeed praise this behavior as "righting the wrongs of the past", as if alleged crimes against your ancestors justifies you attacking a random tourist and beating him up for his money, or looting stores. Thus, there will always be a need for Krav Maga.
But Krav Maga is far more than physical, if it is taught correctly, it is character building. I have seen the transformation countless times throughout my career. I have seen timid little children grow up to be leaders, confident, empowered, role models. I have seen meek mild husbands become take-charge confident men; I have seen phobias disappear. Fear replaced by bold initiative. Failure replaced by Success. I have seen those afraid to take risks in life become go-getters. I have met husbands who hugged me at their wedding thanking for helping make their wife the kind of person they want to marry.
There will always be a need for Krav Maga, there will always be a need to take little boys and girls and train them to be confident adults, and adults who need to overcome childhood fears and anxieties. Over the past 40 years of teaching I have seen lives changed, souls uplifted, entire families completely transformed through our training. During the nearly 20 years that I taught children I became known as the "The Krav Maga instructor who teaches in a therapeutic way". Parents came to me with children with all sorts of social disorders. Today I am still in touch with them, they are confident adults, mothers and fathers, doctors, nurses, EMT drivers, entrepreneurs, lawyers, accountants, architects and writers.
May Ethiopia always stay free and happy, and carefree, they are wonderful people. And may Krav Maga continue to empower and uplift the lives of people worldwide.
Injera is a sour fermented pancake-like flatbread with a slightly spongy texture, traditionally made of teff flour. In Ethiopia and Eritrea, injera is a staple. This is the kosher vegetarian injera that we enjoyed.
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
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All that and more in this unique book.
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