Israeli court rejects minister's 'crazy idea' to use crocodiles as prison guards

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's controversial proposal to use crocodiles as guards for Palestinian prisoners has been rejected by the Jerusalem District Court. The court issued a prohibition against the plan after an animal welfare organization, 'Let the Animals Live,' filed a petition against it.

Responding to the court's decision, Ben-Gvir expressed strong disapproval, stating, "Once again, in a time of war, the judicial system sides with terrorists and thwarts important preventative efforts by the Israeli government." He accused the judges of favoring terrorists over security measures.

Ben-Gvir's idea was reportedly inspired by the 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigration detention center in Florida, which uses dangerous wildlife like alligators, crocodiles, and pythons to deter escapes. He first presented the concept in December to the head of the Prison Service, Kobi Yaakobi.

In a move that appeared to facilitate the proposal, the Israeli government recently revoked the protected status of Nile crocodiles. This reclassification allows the animals to be used as tools for imprisonment and deterrence rather than solely for conservation. The Minister of Environmental Protection, Idit Silman, subsequently categorized them as 'specially managed wild animals,' permitting the state to keep them for security purposes. Israeli media reported that the Prison Service had begun visiting zoos to learn how to handle crocodiles.

“

Once again, in a time of war, the judicial system sides with terrorists and thwarts important preventative efforts by the Israeli government.