Israeli Environment Minister Approves Pilot to Use Crocodiles Around Security Prisons

Israel's Environment Minister Idit Silman has signed a declaration allowing a pilot program to test the use of crocodiles around detention facilities holding security prisoners. This move follows a proposal by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to surround prisons with crocodiles as a deterrent against escape attempts. The declaration classifies crocodiles as "managed wild animals," enabling security bodies like the Israel Prison Service to keep crocodiles on their premises under regulated conditions.

The initiative draws inspiration from former U.S. President Donald Trump's crocodile-surrounded prison model and aims to reduce ongoing security costs while enhancing deterrence. The Israel Prison Service conducted extensive research, including professional inspections of zoos, concluding that crocodile moats could significantly lower security expenses and strengthen prisoner containment.

Previously, Israeli law defined the green crocodile as a protected wild animal, prohibiting its possession outside licensed zoos. To overcome this legal barrier, the government adapted a past legal framework that allowed crocodile possession for commercial purposes until 2013. The new declaration restricts crocodile keeping solely to authorized security agencies and forbids their killing, focusing on security needs.

This pilot program represents a novel security measure combining wildlife management with prison security, pending further development of safe and appropriate housing conditions for the crocodiles.

Summary: Israel's Environment Minister approved a pilot program to place crocodiles around security prisons, following National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's initiative to enhance prison security and reduce costs. The legal reclassification allows authorized security bodies to keep crocodiles under controlled conditions, inspired by a similar U.S. prison model.

Points: - Environment Minister Idit Silman approved a pilot to use crocodiles around security prisons. - The initiative was proposed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. - Crocodiles are legally reclassified as "managed wild animals" for this purpose. - The Israel Prison Service supports the plan after extensive research. - The program aims to reduce security costs and deter prisoner escapes. - Legal changes restrict crocodile keeping to authorized security bodies only.

Topic: security

Entities: {"people":["Itamar Ben-Gvir","Idit Silman","Donald Trump"],"organizations":["Israel Prison Service"],"places":["Israel","United States"]}