Israel Plans Crocodile-Moat Prison for Palestinian Detainees

Israel is planning to build a special prison surrounded by crocodiles to prevent Palestinian detainees from escaping, according to Middle East Eye. As part of the plan, the legal status of the Nile crocodile has been changed to allow the state to keep the animals for security purposes.

Israeli news outlet Ynet reported that Environment Minister Idit Silman signed a directive on Wednesday placing Nile crocodiles under a new legal classification. Under the new regulation, the state may keep the animals in its custody under specific security conditions.

The report said the move follows a proposal by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who last year suggested building a prison surrounded by crocodiles for Palestinian detainees. Ben-Gvir said the idea was inspired by the “Alligator Alcatraz” detention facility in the U.S. state of Florida.

The proposal has drawn criticism from the Environment Ministry’s legal advisers and environmental organizations. They argue that using wild animals for prison security is unethical and lacks sufficient legal and scientific justification.

Israeli prison authorities have said they would be capable of handling crocodiles if required. However, environmental experts argue that prison officials have no experience managing dangerous wild animals and warn that such a plan could pose risks to both people and the animals.

Source: Middle East Eye, Ynet.