IDF trains Krav Maga
IDF trains Krav MagaKobi Gideon/Flash 90

British politicians are now being offered free classes in Krav Maga, the Israeli martial system designed for close-contact street fighting.

Krav Maga, literally "contact combat," was invented by Jewish martial expert Imi Lichtenfeld in the 1930s. It uses a mix of judo, boxing, and jujitsu to neutralize attackers who are wielding knives, guns, or are bare-handed.

After British MP Jo Cox was murdered at a rally in June, the Parli-Training firm is offered MPs and their staff free lessons on how to defend themselves in case of assault.

Speaking to The Sun, company founder Mendora Ogbogbo explained that they are instructing the MPs more on how to defend themselves, than to attack:

“We are teaching them techniques where if someone comes at them with a knife or a gun, they can disarm the weapons and then run."

“Another technique we teach is the 'rhino,' where they know how to cover the vulnerable parts of their heads when someone is punching them.

“We also teach a method where if someone is lying on top of them in a fight, they can wriggle from under them and run," she added.

“This will give them a vital three or four minutes before someone intervenes.”

Two MPs and 18 assistants attended the first session. The next session will be held in November.