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

Israeli court blocks Ben Gvir crocodile moat plan for prisons holding Palestinians Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 08/03/2026 - 12:57 Injunction was made on the basis of concerns around animal welfare, not the abuse of Palestinian prisoners Israel's National Security minister Itamar Ben Gvir is overseeing the digging of trenches around Ketziot Prison, where crocodiles will be introduced (AFP) Off An Israeli court has blocked a plan by far right minister Itamar Ben Gvir to place crocodiles in moats encircling prisons where Palestinian prisoners are being held, Israeli media is reporting. Israeli authorities have reportedly already begun digging trenches around a section of Ketziot Prison in the Negev desert, in northern Israel. Under the plan spearheaded by Ben Gvir, and backed by his National Security Ministry and the Israel Prison Service (IPS), Nile crocodiles will be installed in the trenches.