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

Israeli authorities have halted a controversial plan by far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir to introduce crocodiles in moats surrounding prisons holding Palestinian inmates, according to Israeli media reports. The National Security Minister is overseeing the excavation of trenches around Ketziot Prison in the Negev desert, where the crocodiles are intended to be placed.

The scheme, backed by Ben Gvir's National Security Ministry and the Israel Prison Service, involves the Nile crocodile, which has been reclassified as a "tended animal" by Environment Protection Minister Idit Silman in July 2025. However, Israeli broadcaster KAN reported on Sunday that the Jerusalem District Court had issued a temporary injunction against the plan, following a legal challenge filed by animal rights organization Let the Animals Live.

The court's decision was based on concerns around animal welfare and the potential danger to prison staff, rather than the alleged mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners. Judge Abraham Rubin noted that the claims of harm to the crocodiles warranted investigation, and ordered a temporary injunction until further notice. The injunction remains in place until Silman, Ben Gvir, and the Israel Prison Service respond to the petition.

Ben Gvir's plan is part of a series of measures aimed at creating more difficult conditions for Palestinian prisoners, including visitation bans, food deprivation, medical neglect, torture, and solitary confinement. Palestinian prisoner advocacy groups estimate that over 9,600 Palestinians are held in Israeli custody, with 84 women and 350 children subjected to mistreatment, including medical neglect, beatings, and rape.