Israeli court halts crocodile transfer to Palestinian prison over animal welfare concerns
LONDON: An Israeli court on Sunday temporarily blocked plans by the national security minister to install crocodile-filled moats around Ketziot Prison, following a legal challenge centered on the reptiles’ welfare that has also reignited concerns over the treatment of Palestinian detainees.
The Jerusalem District Court issued an injunction freezing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s proposal to transfer crocodiles into security areas at Ketziot, a desert prison where many Palestinians are held, after the animal welfare group Let the Animals Live petitioned against the plan, The Times of Israel reported.
The group asked the court to classify the reptiles as a protected species, arguing that the government lacked legal authority to proceed.
In its petition, Let the Animals Live said Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman ignored ministry legal experts and Nature and Parks Authority officials, who warned the transfer lacked scientific basis and could endanger both the animals and prison staff.
