Israeli Minister Proposes Using Crocodiles to Guard Palestinian Prisoners After Joke Sparks Initiative

The idea to use crocodiles to guard Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention centers originated as a joke during a security briefing with Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, according to a report by Avishai Greenstein on i24NEWS. The discussion took place amid controversy over the killing of 260 crocodiles at the Petzal farm about a year ago, which were deemed a public safety threat. During the meeting, which included police and prison service officials, one participant joked about sending the crocodiles to guard the prisoners instead of killing them. The joke was well received, prompting Minister Ben-Gvir to actively promote the concept.

However, Kobi Yakobi, the Commissioner of the Israel Prison Service, opposed the initiative, calling it a prank, though he agreed to delegate the matter to his deputy. The deputy expressed enthusiasm, suggesting the crocodiles could serve as a deterrent. Despite this, legal advisors to the government have highlighted significant legal obstacles that remain unresolved, advising against advancing the plan until these issues are addressed.

The report also noted that Israel does not face a general problem with prisoner escapes, and the notable 2021 Gilboa prison break occurred through a tunnel, a scenario where crocodiles would not have been effective. Thus, the practical utility of the proposal remains questionable, and its future is uncertain pending legal review.