Haim Gidon — The Conservative Israeli Lineage

Haim Gidon trained with Imi from 1966 onward and was certified by Imi at the highest possible rank. He is the only living person to have been formally designated by Imi as a successor to his lineage during Imi's lifetime, and he leads the federation widely known as Bukan Krav Maga (formerly the Israeli Krav Maga Association founded by Imi himself in 1978).

What makes the lineage "conservative"

Bukan Krav Maga is technically the most conservative of the major federations. The curriculum is closer to the syllabus Imi taught in the 1980s than to the systematized versions developed by IKMF, KMG, or KMW. Gidon's school emphasizes:

• Direct continuity with Imi's teaching methodology (small-class instruction, individual correction)
• Limited curriculum changes — techniques are added rarely, and only when proven against real-world use
• Strong emphasis on the original Israeli stress-drill traditions, including the verbal-confrontation drills that other federations sometimes omit

Size and reach

Bukan Krav Maga is much smaller than KMG or KMW — measured in dozens of certified schools rather than hundreds — but is influential in Israel itself and has a loyal following among students who specifically seek the most direct Imi lineage. The federation publishes less English-language material than its larger rivals, which limits its international visibility.

The succession question

Because Gidon was directly certified by Imi as a lineage successor, some Krav Maga historians treat Bukan as the most authentic continuation of Imi's school. Others note that Imi certified multiple top students and never named a single sole heir. Both views have defensible support in the historical record.