History of Krav Maga – Part 2

Imi Lichtenfeld began to incorporate techniques from different styles to form an effective approach to self-defense to enable the Jewish community to defend itself against Fascist militias. When Europe became unbearable for Jews, Imi left. He eventually ended up in the Land of Israel in 1942, then controlled by the British. Israeli self-defense was already well into the process of development, and Imi joined this ongoing movement as a member of Haganah, the defensive force founded by the legendary leader Ze’ev “Vladimir” Jabotinsky in 1919 for the purpose of defending Jewish settlements from Arabs.

Jabotinsky was one of the great Jewish leaders of that century. He foresaw doom for European Jewry and urged them to relocate to the Land of Israel (aliya). He founded the Betar youth movement and the Herut (Freedom) political party. Future prime ministers Menachem Begin and Yitzchak Shamir were among his disciples. Jabotinsky formed the Zion Mule Corps as part of the British army in World War I, and he himself enlisted as a private.

Jabotinsky, or Jabo as he was known by the Jewish masses, was not only a great leader and speaker, he was also a writer and a poet. He wrote in many languages and his works include text books on Hebrew language, novels, and poems. His works inspired his generation and those that followed. One of his most famous articles was titled “Jews; Learn to Shoot!”

While Jabotinsky was the philosophical force behind Jewish military revival, others were the hands-on Krav Maga instructors. Imi Lichtenfeld’s talents were noticed, and he was assigned to the unarmed combat instructors team. Eventually he became a KAPAP instructor and was among those who trained the Palmach and Palyam. He is credited with a shifting of emphasis from use of the stick to the greater incorporation of Jujutsu. When Israel became a state in 1948, all the pre-state militias joined together to form the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). Imi was recruited into the staff of the IDF physical training school where he was one of 11 KAPAP instructors.

Krav Maga includes techniques from judo, jujutsu, karate, western boxing, and elements of wrestling. With the establishment of the State of Israel, Krav Maga was adopted as the official fighting style of the IDF and the Israel Police Force. In 1964 Imi Lichtenfeld retired from the IDF and opened a private Krav Maga club. With this he became the first to offer Krav Maga to civilians, although in Israel nearly all civilians serve in the military and thus already have some Krav Maga training.

Lichtenfeld’s fame comes from his initiation of the development of Civilian Krav Maga. This is a process still going on today with many branches. Krav Maga is free flowing – all styles of punching, kicking, chokes, and take-downs are employed with the aim of neutralizing the enemy in the shortest amount of time possible. Krav Maga has no limitations. Groin, eyes, throat, and face are all fair game. Therefore, Krav Maga does not hold competitions and does not seek to be represented in the Olympics. The danger to the participants would simply be too great.

Krav Maga is designed for self-defense, combat, and worst case scenarios. A major part of the training involves the ability to handle such stressful situations, both physically and mentally. The style is easy to learn and apply. Krav Maga employs simple movements that are natural to the body, based on instincts that are already established within us. Perhaps the most unique aspect of Krav Maga is the emphasis on aggressiveness – it teaches you to stick to the goal no matter what, even when it is hard, even when you feel you have nothing left. Krav Maga has a no compromising attitude towards the enemy. The goal is to neutralize the enemy; the specific technique does not matter.

Krav Maga is taught to all units of the IDF — the amount depends upon the unit. As such, nearly everyone in Israel has some Krav Maga training. Depending on the unit, knife and gun disarms are also taught. All training involves strict discipline, aggressiveness, and a warrior mindset.