Israeli court blocks Ben Gvir crocodile moat plan for prisons holding Palestinians

An Israeli court has halted a controversial plan proposed by far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir to introduce crocodiles in moats encircling prisons housing Palestinian detainees. According to Israeli media, authorities have already commenced digging trenches around Ketziot Prison in the Negev desert, in northern Israel, as part of the initiative spearheaded by Ben Gvir.

The plan, backed by the National Security Ministry and the Israel Prison Service, aimed to install Nile crocodiles in the trenches. However, Israeli broadcaster KAN reported that the Jerusalem District Court issued a temporary injunction on Sunday, following a legal challenge filed by animal rights organization Let the Animals Live.

The court's decision was based on concerns over animal mistreatment and the potential danger posed to prison staff, rather than the issue of Palestinian prisoner abuse.

Brief written by urgent.news from Middle East Eye's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.