Idit Silman reclassifies Nile crocodiles as "captive-bred wildlife" to allow the reptiles to serve as security guards in Israeli prisons.

Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman has officially reclassified Nile crocodiles as "captive-bred wildlife," a move that permits the reptiles to be used for security purposes. This regulatory change follows a proposal by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to use crocodiles to deter escape attempts by Palestinian security prisoners. The new classification allows authorized security organizations, such as the Israel Prison Service, to maintain the reptiles under specific conditions set by environmental authorities. Ben-Gvir intends to implement this plan at Ketziot Prison in southern Israel, which currently houses many Hamas operatives. The proposal draws inspiration from the "Alligator Alcatraz" detention center in Florida, which was established during the Trump administration to house illegal immigrants in an alligator-infested swamp. While the Israel Nature and Parks Authority initially opposed the plan, arguing that wild animals should primarily be used for research and education, Silman’s decision provides a legal framework for the reptiles to act as a natural security barrier. Ben-Gvir highlighted the plan on social media, using an AI-generated image to show himself holding a crocodile on a leash.

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