Jerusalem Court Temporarily Halts Ben Gvir's Plan to Transfer Crocodiles to Ketziot Prison

The Jerusalem District Court issued a temporary injunction on Sunday preventing the Israeli government from advancing a plan to transfer Nile crocodiles to the Ketziot prison facility. The order came shortly after the animal rights group Let the Animals Live filed an urgent administrative petition to stop the move. Judge Avraham Rubin ruled that no actions could be taken under the Environment Minister's declaration classifying the crocodiles as "managed wild animals" until a decision on an interim injunction is made. The government must respond to the petition by August 16.

The petition targets Environment Minister Idit Silman, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and the Israel Prison Service. The group demands the cancellation of the July 15 decision that would allow the use of crocodiles for prison security and deterrence, removing their protected wild animal status and related licensing and oversight. The petition alleges that the Prison Service has already begun preparatory work, including digging a trench around Ketziot prison and meeting with crocodile handlers. The pilot project reportedly has a budget allocation of 21 million shekels from the National Security Ministry.

Let the Animals Live claims the decision was made without proper authority and ignored professional and legal opposition. Expert opinions attached to the petition warn of risks to the crocodiles, the public, and the environment. Lawyers Hagit Gluska and Amnon Keren said the court's injunction prevents irreversible harm to the animals and waste of millions of shekels, emphasizing that crocodiles are not weapons or political props. They vowed to continue fighting to cancel the plan.

Ben Gvir responded to the court ruling by accusing the judiciary of siding with terrorists during wartime and obstructing important deterrence measures. He called for judicial reform after the elections, stating he would not compromise on this issue.