Israel clears legal path for Palestinian prison moat plan
The prison service has begun a feasibility study and zoo visits, even as media report crocodiles could cost up to $20,000 each.
Israel has cleared a legal path for a plan to build a maximum-security prison for Palestinian detainees surrounded by a moat filled with crocodiles. Israeli media reported that Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman reclassified crocodiles as a “managed wild animal,” allowing government bodies, including the Israel Prison Service, to keep them under certain conditions. The idea was first raised about six months ago by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to prevent escapes from a new prison complex. Channel 7 reported that the Israel Prison Service is now examining the project's operational aspects, including visits to zoos to study how crocodiles are handled and cared for. Channel 7 also reported that a baby crocodile costs about 8,000 dollars, while an adult crocodile can fetch 20,000 dollars.