Israel’s Environmental Protection Minister, Idit Silman, has officially reclassified crocodiles, a regulatory change that could permit the reptiles to be deployed for security operations, including the monitoring of prison facilities. The new designation shifts the animals from the category of "wild animals" to "cultivated wild animals." Under this updated framework, approved security organizations may be permitted to keep Nile crocodiles for security duties, provided they meet specific government requirements and conditions established by environmental authorities.
The policy shift appears to align with the objectives of Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir. Reports indicate that Ben-Gvir proposed the idea in December, drawing inspiration from a US migrant detention center in Florida that has been colloquially dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz." The Israel Prison Service, which operates under Ben-Gvir's jurisdiction, is identified as a potential body to utilize these animals. Israeli media outlets have reported that the minister intends to station crocodiles at Ketziot prison in southern Israel, a facility that primarily houses Palestinian security prisoners.
To mark the development, Ben-Gvir posted a message on Facebook this past Thursday, stating, "Are you thinking of attempting to escape? Think again." He accompanied the post with an AI-generated image depicting himself alongside a crocodile on a leash.
The proposal has faced notable opposition. According to Israel’s Channel 13, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority previously voiced strong objections when the idea was first introduced last year. The authority maintained that wild animals should be kept exclusively for research and educational purposes. Furthermore, the agency highlighted historical concerns regarding bred crocodiles escaping into the wild, which they noted could pose significant risks to human life. Channel 13 also reported that the concept was met with ridicule by several officers within the Israel Prison Service.
