ISTANBUL: Israel has taken a legal step toward a controversial proposal to surround prisons holding Palestinian detainees with crocodile-filled moats, according to Hebrew media reports.
Israel’s Channel 7 reported that Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman signed an order reclassifying crocodiles as “managed wild animals.” The change would allow government bodies, including the Israel Prison Service, to keep crocodiles at their facilities under specific conditions.
Crocodiles were previously classified as protected wild animals and could only be kept in licensed zoos. The reclassification removes a key legal barrier to the proposal backed by extremist National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Hebrew media have described the project as the “crocodile prison.” Ben-Gvir introduced the idea about six months ago, calling for a high-security facility encircled by crocodile-filled waterways to deter escape attempts by Palestinian detainees.
Channel 13 said the legal change followed objections from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.
According to Channel 7, the Israel Prison Service has already started examining the project’s feasibility, including visits to zoos to study crocodile handling and care requirements.
Officials believe crocodile-filled moats could reduce guarding costs while strengthening prison security. A young crocodile is estimated to cost around $8,000, while an adult can cost up to $20,000.
There was no immediate comment from the Israel Prison Service.
Around 9,500 Palestinians are currently held in Israeli prisons, including women and children, according to rights groups.
