In 1948 commanders in the very new Israeli Defense Forces realized they would need a new way for soldiers to fight that would useful in the urban environment that faces them against enemies often living in the same village. A solution to this problem became the basis for Krav Maga.  It is street fighting: violent, merciless and lacking the finesse or beauty of martial arts…it is however incredibly effective.  Now in 2010, as the kidnapping threat increases for IDF soldiers both on the battlefield and at home, the army is going back to basics and teaching ever y solider the basic skills of unarmed hand-to-hand combat.

It is also growing in popularity in the United States as gyms have opened up teaching Krav Maga both for fitness and self-defense.