Ex-Israeli army soldier’s Caulfield self-defence classes in demand during Gaza crisis

A FORMER Israeli army soldier teaching self-defence in Caulfield says the Gaza conflict is driving a spike in interest in his classes.

(L-R) Benji Szafran (instructor), Gul Pohatu (pro fighter) and Avraham Yemini at IDF Training, Caulfield. Avraham Yemini owns and founded a self defence training centre IDF Training in Caulfield. He's experienced a massive spike in interest for his Krav Maga self defence training since the Gaza conflict escalated. He's holding a free workshop. Picture: Josie Hayden

AN ex-Israeli army soldier teaching self defence in Caulfield says interest in his classes has spiked.

Avi Yemini, the Australian-born founder of IDF Training, said anti-Semitism was real in Melbourne. He said it was on the rise because of the conflict in Gaza and people wanted to learn how to defend themselves.

Yemini is holding a free self defence workshop at his gym on Hawthorn Rd this Sunday, August 3, 10am — 11.30am.

IDF Training is Australia’s largest training centre for Krav Maga — a self-defence system developed for the military in Israel.

Yemini has also organised Israeli Defence Force soldier Zachary Gomo to speak at the workshop.

Mr Gomo said he was bashed by two men in an allegedly racially motivated attack in Elsternwick earlier this month. He was wearing an IDF T-shirt at the time.

The Jewish Community Council of Victoria reacted swiftly to that incident, saying it was “no coincidence that this attack occurred as hostilities between Israel and Gaza are escalating’’.

Mr Gomo will speak about the incident and Mr Yemini is expecting a big turnout.

“We’ve had a massive influx of emails and calls … people are worried,’’ he said.

“People are physically scared.’’

He said his gym’s Facebook page had been “digitally firebombed’’ and he hoped the public workshop would empower people.

“We (IDF Training’s Facebook page) get a lot of hate. You’d be surprised,’’ he said.

Caulfield police are working closely with the Community Security Group to protect Glen Eira’s Jewish community but Senior Sergeant Neil Mathieson said he had not seen a noticeable rise in anti-Semitism reports beyond the attack on Mr Gomo.

“We are doing extra patrols past all Jewish establishments because of the perceived risk at the moment,’’ he said.

Donations will be collected on Sunday for Friends of the IDF — a charity in Israel that helps support young soldiers who defend Israel and the families of fallen soldiers.