Israel Reclassifies Crocodiles as Security Assets to Prevent Prison Breaks

Israel's Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman has issued a new classification for crocodiles, moving them from the category of "wild animals" to "cultivated wild animals." This change could allow an approved security organization to keep Nile crocodiles for security purposes, subject to government approval and conditions set by environmental authorities.

According to reports, in December, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir proposed using crocodiles around a prison for Palestinian detainees, inspired by a U.S. migrant detention center in Florida known as "Alligator Alcatraz." 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.

Israel's Channel 13 reported that the Israel Nature and Parks Authority objected to Ben-Gvir's proposal when it was first raised. The authority stated that wild animals should only be kept for research and education, and cited past problems with bred crocodiles escaping and posing risks to human lives. The channel also said the idea "met with ridicule by several officers" at the Israel Prison Service.