Israel reclassifies crocodiles, paving way for prison security plan

Israel’s Minister of Environmental Protection, Idit Silman, reclassified Nile crocodiles from wild animals to “captive‑bred wildlife,” shifting regulatory oversight from the Nature and Parks Authority to security bodies such as the Prison Service. The change permits security agencies to keep the reptiles for security purposes under conditions set by the Nature Authority. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a right‑wing politician, welcomed the move and has proposed surrounding the high‑security Ketziot prison – which holds many Hamas fighters captured after the October 7, 2023 attacks – with crocodiles, citing the U.S. “Alligator Alcatraz” model. Ben Gvir posted an AI‑generated image on Facebook with the caption, “State thinking of trying to escape? Think again,” urging detainees to reconsider any escape attempt. Critics, including the Nature Authority and legal advisers, warned that the reclassification could endanger public safety and animal welfare. No implementation date has been announced, and the proposal remains under debate.