Israel Reclassifies Crocodiles, Potentially for Prison Security

Israel's Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman has given a new classification to crocodiles, in a move that may allow the reptiles to be deployed for security tasks, such as maintaining security at prisons.

The country's far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, reportedly in December proposed using crocodiles around a prison for Palestinian detainees, similar to a US migrant detention center in Florida dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz."

Nile crocodiles reclassified as security assets

The new classification puts the crocodiles in the category of "cultivated wild animal" instead of wild animals. It could allow an approved security organization to keep Nile crocodiles for security purposes, subject to government approval and conditions set by environmental authorities.

One such body is the Israel Prison Service, which answers to Ben-Gvir.

Israeli media reported that Ben-Gvir intends to use crocodiles to guard Ketziot prison in southern Israel, which primarily holds Palestinian security prisoners.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Ben-Gvir wrote: "Are you thinking of attempting to escape? Think again." He accompanied the post with an AI-generated image of himself with a crocodile on a leash.

Criticism of crocodile use

Israel's Channel 13 reported that the Israel Nature and Parks Authority spoke out against Ben-Gvir's proposal when he first put forward the idea last year.

The authority said wild animals should be kept only for research and educational reasons.

It also cited previous problems with bred crocodiles escaping into the wilderness and posing risks to human lives.

Channel 13 also said the idea "met with ridicule by several officers" at the Israel Prison Service.