Israel reclassifies crocodiles for use in deterring prison escapes

Israel has reclassified crocodiles, moving them from the 'wild animal' category to 'captive-bred wildlife.' This regulatory change, championed by Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman, paves the way for the reptiles to be employed for security purposes, notably to deter prison escapes.

The initiative has strong backing from National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. He reportedly proposed in December using crocodiles to surround prisons holding Palestinian detainees, drawing a parallel to Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz' facility. Ben Gvir publicly welcomed the decision, posting on Facebook, 'Are you thinking of attempting to escape? Think again.' He shared an AI-generated image of himself with a crocodile on a leash, humorously captioning it: 'Ministers Ben Gvir and Silman are cooperating and encircling prisons with crocodiles!'

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Are you thinking of attempting to escape? Think again.

However, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority had previously opposed Ben Gvir's proposal when he first suggested it last year. The new regulation, signed into law on Wednesday, shifts oversight of the animals from the authority to a designated 'security body.' The Israel Prison Service, which Ben Gvir oversees, is a prime example of such a body.

The regulation permits the breeding of Nile crocodiles under specific conditions. They must be held by a security body, prevented from escaping into the wild, and their possession must be deemed necessary for security purposes by the Minister of Environmental Protection. Israeli media reports indicate Ben Gvir plans to deploy crocodiles around Ketziot prison in southern Israel, which houses many Hamas militants captured following the Oct. 7 attacks. Initially, the proposal was reportedly met with skepticism by some prison service officers.

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Ministers Ben Gvir and Silman are cooperating and encircling prisons with crocodiles!