On Sunday evening, the Israeli Central Court issued a temporary order to halt the implementation of a plan to transfer crocodiles to Ketziot prison in the Negev region of southern Israel, where Palestinian prisoners from the Gaza Strip are held.
Israeli reports spoke of the commencement of digging trenches around a section of the prison where Israel is holding Palestinians it arrested from the Gaza Strip on suspicion of participating in the October 7, 2023 attack.
According to the plan of Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir , crocodiles will be placed in these trenches.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation said Sunday evening: “The Jerusalem District Court issued a temporary order this evening to halt the implementation of the plan to transfer crocodiles to Ketziot Prison, following a petition filed by the Let Animals Live Association against the plan, which is supported by the Ministry of National Security and the Prisons Authority.”
She added: “Judge Abraham Rubin decided to prevent any action based on Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman’s declaration that crocodiles are managed wildlife, a legal classification that allows them to be moved and kept in the prison facility.”
She noted that the decision came hours after the association filed an administrative petition against the Minister of Environmental Protection, the Minister of National Security, and the Prison Service.
The commission noted that the temporary order will remain in effect until the state submits its response to the court, which is expected by mid-August.
She continued: “The disputes center on the decision issued by the Minister of Environmental Protection on July 15, which aims to allow the use of crocodiles as a means of deterrence and protection in prisons. According to the petition, the move leads to a change in the legal status of crocodiles and the removal of the control and licensing mechanisms imposed on them as protected wild animals.”
She noted that the “Let the Animals Live” association said that the Prison Service had already begun infrastructure work in the area, including digging a canal around the prison, and pointed out that a budget of 21 million shekels (the dollar is worth 3.05 shekels) had been allocated by the Ministry of National Security to implement the pilot project.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation quoted the association as saying that the decision was taken without sufficient legal authority, ignoring professional and legal opinions that warned of risks to animals, the public and the environment.
The broadcasting authority added: “For its part, the state has not yet submitted its official position to the court, and it is expected to present it as part of its response to the request for a temporary order.”
She continued: “The legal department of the Let Animals Live Association and the Environmental Justice and Animal Rights Clinic at Tel Aviv University said that the decision prevents, at this stage, the implementation of irreversible actions and prevents harm to animal welfare, and stressed that they will continue their efforts to cancel the plan permanently.”
Since taking office in late 2022, Minister Ben-Gvir has tightened the conditions of detention for Palestinian prisoners, including the use of starvation and medical neglect, as well as torture and isolation.
There are approximately 9,500 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, including children and women, suffering harsh conditions including starvation, torture and medical neglect, which has led to the death of dozens of them, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights reports.
