Israel Advances Plan for Crocodile Moats Around Prisons

The Israeli government is advancing a proposal by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to surround prisons housing Palestinian security prisoners, specifically those holding Nukhba terrorists, with crocodile-filled moats. The initiative, inspired by a model proposed by Donald Trump, aims to create a strong deterrent against escape attempts and reduce long-term guarding costs.

To facilitate the project, Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman signed a declaration reclassifying crocodiles as domesticated, managed, or cared-for wild animals. This legal shift bypasses restrictions that previously limited Nile crocodiles to licensed zoos and allows the Israel Prison Service to keep the animals on prison grounds. The reclassification followed objections from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

The Israel Prison Service has initiated feasibility studies and conducted zoo visits to determine animal care requirements and the viability of a pilot program. These efforts occur amid reports from rights groups regarding starvation, torture, and medical neglect for the approximately 9,500 Palestinians currently held in Israeli prisons.