Israeli court prohibits security minister from using crocodiles to guard prisons

The Israeli court banned the Minister of Security from using crocodiles to guard Ketziot prison, after receiving a lawsuit from an animal rights organization.

The decision was made by Judge Avraham Rubin on August 2, just a few hours after the animal protection organization Let the Animals Live filed a lawsuit and requested emergency intervention.

The court ordered all surveys and infrastructure preparations to be stopped to bring crocodiles to Ketziot prison until further notice. The Jerusalem court will make a final decision after reviewing the government's response before August 16.

This unique but controversial initiative was promoted by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman. According to the proposal, officials plan to build a water canal system about 170 meters long around the high-security area of ​​Ketziot prison, then release Nile crocodiles to act as an additional security barrier.

The goal of the project is to strengthen perimeter protection, prevent the risk of prison escapes and create a psychological deterrent for security prisoners, especially Hamas gunmen detained after conflicts.

Previously, the Ministry of National Security approved the project and began digging a water canal inside the prison complex. "Those who massacred, raped and behaved like wild animals should be guarded by their own kind," according to a statement from the Office of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

To formalize the project, Environment Minister Idit Silman last month signed a decision to reclassify Nile crocodiles as "wild animals allowed for farming". This move is intended to allow the Israel Prison Service to accept crocodiles from the Hamat Gader tourist area, despite strong opposition from the legal counsel of the Ministry of Environment as well as the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

Immediately after the court's ruling was issued, Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir sharply criticized the judicial system, saying that the court was hindering deterrent security measures.

"Once again, in wartime, the judicial system sided with terrorists and blocked important steps to deter the enemy. We know the gunmen are scared by the appearance of crocodiles, but today the court came to their rescue," he said.