Israel, a Nation of Warriors

Book excerpt: With the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948, the world saw a new Jew arise from the ashes of the Holocaust and from millennia of persecution in Arab and Christian lands. From the four corners of the earth, the Jewish people, the nation of Israel, returned home. The "dry bones" came to life creating a democratic state and a powerful military. But, this was not a new Jew at all-it was just the old Jew getting up from the ruins of his destroyed life in the exile, dusting himself off, and returning home. Much has been written about Jewish history, but rarely has the "fighting history" of the Jewish people been told. Known as the "people of the Book," few know the age-old fighting spirit of this nation. From the first Hebrew warrior to the Israel Defense Forces of today, Moshe Katz traces the fighting heritage and history of the Hebrew warrior. He examines the modern Israeli close quarter combat system, Krav Maga, analyzes its components and attributes, and the reasons it is sought after by security forces worldwide. "Israel, A Nation of Warriors" takes a look at the Israeli society that produced a military force, a security system, and everyday civilian/warrior heroes that have amazed the world. Moshe Katz is a high ranking Krav Maga instructor and founder of Israeli Krav International (IKI). He is a graduate of UCLA, Bernard Baruch College, and Wingate Institute. In addition, he spent many years in yeshivoth (Rabbinical colleges). He brings his knowledge of Jewish history, martial arts training, and lifelong experience of living in Israel to form this unique book. Moshe lives in Maaleh Adumim, Israel, and conducts Krav Maga seminars throughout the world.