Random Airport Encounters Norway, Netehrlands
BY MOSHE KATZ 
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL

October 30, 2024, Gårdmanden airport, Norway - Schiphol, The Netherlands - El Al flight 336

Life is full of random encounters, if we are open to them. They can be positive or negative, they come as surprises with every turn we take. We can have a positive effect on others, and they on us, or negative. On this past trip I have had them all, both positive and negative. And the come from all cultures. Sometimes the people whom you would think are there to support you, turn against you with nasty comments, and those from whom you least expect it, surprise you with kindness and understanding.

I had all sorts of trials and tribulations on this journey; my flight was unexpectedly changed and delayed by many hours, Heathrow airport somehow forgot that we were arriving, and we had a 2-hour delay, a good part of that time circling around in the air waiting for a gate to open. When I landed in Heathrow, I was expecting an El Al representative to be waiting for me and guide me rapidly through security in order to make my now very tight connection, but alas, there was no one. Life, full of false promises and disappointments. 

On the return journey things at least started off well and this is where I will take my story and life lessons. In Israel we are at war, on several fronts and against many enemies. One of those wars, one of the most difficult is the war against the media bias of the world and the political leadership of many nations. We can't seem to get our point across. In the USA and Europe calling for the genocide of the Jews is once again acceptable, but it is we who are accused of genocide by fighting back against our enemies whose declared goal is our total elimination. What an upside world we live in. 

In Israel, friends warn me about visits to Europe. They look at me in my obvious Jewish attire and Jewish appearance and ask, do you dress like that abroad? Yes, I do. They worry about me in Norway, but I tell them that I have never, in my 12-15 or so visits to this country, ever experienced the slightest bit of antisemitism.  The news routinely broadcasts anti-Israel propaganda, only focusing on the damage on the Arab side and blowing it out of proportion but I have not experienced any animosity personally. and here I begin my story of encounters.

Several people came up to me and wanted to make it clear that their government did not in any way represent their views on this subject, that they stand solidly with Israel and are, in fact, ashamed, of how their government has turned against us. 

I arrive at Gardermoen airport. Next to me at the counter I notice an older gentleman with two unusual pieces of luggage, immediately I sense that it is either an electric guitar or a sniper's rifle. I look over with a look of surprise. I see the word Baretta. The owner smiles at me, in a very friendly way, and says, You need that more than I do! I said, yes, I am actually on my way home to Israel right now. 

You see, some people in the USA are upset with President Donald J. Trump for referring to Israel as "your country" when speaking with Jews. I am shocked by the attitude of Jews who are offended by this. All over the world when non-Jewish people see me, that just assume that I am Israeli and speak of Israel as "your country", I am certainly not offended. They did not bother asking if I live in Israel, they just assumed, and I like that. For Israel is where we belong, and every Jew belongs in Israel. The gentleman in Oslo with the barretta rifles did not ask to see my passport, he assumed I was connected with Israel and that it is "my country", I was not offended. I am not under the illusion that any other country in the world could ever truly be "my country". Our history should have shattered that myth long ago. In Germany we learned of the descendants of Moses Mendelsohn, the great Jewish philosopher. Most of his children converted away from Judaism, only one of his grandchildren was buried as a Jew. by the 1860s there were no Jews left in his family. and yet, when the Gestapo came to power half a century after the last Jew in the family was buried, they began arresting his descendants, the non-Jewish Mendelsohn's who were so proudly German and Christian. They were taken away by the Gestapo. Israel is our country; the entire world sees this as true. We are merely guests in other countries. 

Yes, he says, you could use this more than me in your country. I thank him, and then he says, I am actually just going to England for bird shooting. (seems like an odd hobby to me, guns are to protect us, not kill innocent animals).

His smile and friendly manner show his support for me, my people and my country. I feel good. This is how it should be. A brother in arms is telling me than in my hour of need he would be happy to supply me with quality weapons. Support. I feel it. 

Soon I am in the lounge, able to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee. I am in my own little world. I noticed a man wearing a Kaffieh, an Arab headdress which he wears as a scarf, but he is not an Arab, and seems not to pay any attention to me. I am always aware. People come and go, I keep to myself. There is a man who asks if the seat near me is available, I say, Yes, by all means, please see down. For the next half an hour we each mind our own business. 

As he gets up to leave, I notice that he is looking at me, he is not speaking, but clearly, he wants to say something. I look back at him, he says, "I just want you to know that I support Israel with all my heart, I am a British Christian, and I stand with Israel. I sat here wanting to tell you that, I was just waiting for the right moment."

I got up and shook his hand. I said, "I want you to know how much that means to me, we hear so much negative news coming from your country, it is heartwarming to hear your words. I thank you for taking the time to tell me this. Have a wonderful flight and you have my gratitude."

Random encounter that enriched us both. 

At the El Al gate in Amsterdam I notice many young Orthodox Jewish couples. It is a delight to see, the tradition being passed on to the next generations. Most of these couples look like teenagers, they are all on their first child, I don't know where they come from.

On the plane one of these couples enters as I am already seated. The Israeli man sitting next to me looks at this young man, with his Polish Hasidic outfit, clearly the same as his great grandfather wore, his long side-curls, peos, his prayer shawl over this white shirt, his black hat, and he says to his wife, "If this does not come to an end soon, it will be the ruin of our 'entire operation'". i.e. the couple sitting next to me are staunch devout secularists who wants to see an end to the European Ultra-Orthodox brand of Judaism, the Polish Jewish tradition that was nearly wiped out by the Nazis and their numerous helpers. They do not want to see Israel become "too Jewish".

I choose to say nothing, despite the fact that this upsets me, and I treat them with extra kindness throughout the flight. I offer to help them, an older couple, as much as possible. 

The Hasidic guy, as it turns out, is now seated directly behind me. His toddler is kicking my seat. I turn around to take a look. The man apologizes, I say, "by no means, do not worry. Keep the boy happy. Whatever makes him happy is fine with me. It is such a pleasure to see such children." The guy smiles, "So many people give me dirty looks when my boy cries, what am I supposed to do? lock him up in a cage!"

I am wearing a Krav Maga T shirt, and I can see that he has been wanting to talk to me, I can see it in his eyes. He is happy for this opening. I am too as I am totally bored on this flight. He asks me what Krav Maga means, he knows it is Hebrew, but he does not understand it. We get into a long Biblical Hebrew discussion. We learn a lot about each other's way of life. He tells me that he knows his traditional outfit "off puts" some secular people, and this hurts him. He says, "Two generations ago and their grandparents dressed this way too!" He tells me he moved to Israel from Antwerp two years ago, he wants to be part of Israeli society. He feels resentment from many secular Jews, and this disturbs him. We discuss the history of this "conflict", peace and understanding begin with such chance encounters, understanding the other. I give him my card, I have a new friend, Yaakov Z. from Antwerp, the first time I have a conversation with a Jew from this community. 

I arrive home, it is good to be home. This morning I go to my local store for some milk and coffee, I see an old friend, Roni V. He asks where I was, I tell him...Norway, Holland, Germany...he says, "Good, hit them hard, they all hate us!", and I say no Roni, this is not true. Don't be a victim of the media. We have many friends over there, perhaps even the majority stand with us. Don't believe lies. 

And I recall waiting for my ride near my hotel in Apeldorn and a man rides up with a bicycle, he stops, looks towards me and says, I want you to know that I support Israel. I have been there before and I will visit again when things calm down. 

Just around the corner from here is a synagogue, still partially active for the few Jews who remain here. And I think to myself...there is hope, there is goodness in this world. We must never forget that. 

Chance encounters that remind us of the good honest people of this world.

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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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