Israeli Ministers Approve Pilot to Surround Prisons with Crocodiles to Prevent Escapes

Following a joint initiative by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the National Security Ministry, the Shin Bet, and the Israel Prison Service, Minister of Environmental Protection Idith Silman signed a declaration reclassifying crocodiles as "cultivated wild animals." This legal change enables security agencies like the Israel Prison Service to conduct a pilot program holding crocodiles on prison grounds under controlled and humane conditions.

The move stems from a proposal by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who suggested adopting a prison security model inspired by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s idea of surrounding prisons with crocodiles. The pilot targets high-security prisons holding members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, aiming to reduce security costs and serve as a strong deterrent against prisoner escapes.

The main legal obstacle was that the green crocodile is classified as a protected wild animal in Israel, prohibiting its captivity outside zoos. The new declaration revives a previous classification from before 2013, allowing crocodiles to be kept for commercial or security purposes under strict regulations and only by authorized security bodies.

Minister Silman conducted extensive consultations before signing the declaration, which authorizes the pilot program to proceed with building suitable facilities and ensuring the animals’ welfare. The initiative is presented as a unique security measure against terrorists who have committed deadly attacks.

This pilot represents a novel approach to prison security in Israel, combining environmental regulation adjustments with national security needs to prevent future prison breaks.