Court Temporarily Halts Crocodile Transfer to Ketziot Prison

The Jerusalem District Court issued a temporary order barring the state from locating Nile crocodiles or preparing them for transfer to Ketziot Prison while it considers an interim injunction. Judge Abraham Rubin acted after Let Animals Live filed an administrative petition challenging Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman's July 15 classification of Nile crocodiles as managed wildlife for security use. The petition names Silman, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and the Israel Prison Service, and argues the plan threatens the animals, public safety and the environment. Ben Gvir said the ruling blocked a deterrence measure for security prisoners and promised to keep pursuing the policy.