Israel Advances 'Crocodile Prison' Plan with Security Service Support and MoE Debate

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is advancing the controversial "Crocodile Prison" project, receiving backing from the Israel Prison Service (IPS). The plan involves constructing a water-filled moat around the tactical wing of Be'er Ya'akov Prison (formerly Ktziot) to isolate the most dangerous terrorists held in Israel. Barbed wire fences will flank both sides of the moat to prevent prisoner escape and crocodile intrusion.

The project was discussed in a closed Knesset session, where Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman reclassified the crocodiles as "managed wild animals," enabling their transfer to the prison facility. The ministry's legal advisor strongly opposed the moat, arguing that using crocodiles for prisoner control is an outdated practice from two millennia ago. Ben-Gvir countered that if keeping managed wild animals for commerce is legal, it is certainly justified for protecting human lives.

An IPS representative supported the moat, citing global examples where crocodiles have been used successfully as deterrents and psychological barriers, including in the United States and South America. However, Environmental Protection officials noted that the last prison using crocodiles closed a year ago due to ineffectiveness. When Ben-Gvir questioned this, the legal advisor responded that while the U.S. is competent, Alcatraz prison, which used crocodiles, closed last year and no prisons currently use crocodiles worldwide.

Despite the opposition, both Ben-Gvir and Silman continue to push the legislation and construction forward urgently. The crocodile reclassification followed resistance from the Nature and Parks Authority. The initial proposal surfaced in December 2023 during a security briefing with IPS Commissioner Kobi Yakobi. Subsequently, IPS officials visited Hamat Gader to study reptile care and procurement. A young crocodile costs approximately $8,000, while an adult can reach $20,000.