Silman Tells Nature Authority to Set Crocodile Rules Despite Court Freeze

Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman instructed the Israel Nature and Parks Authority on Tuesday to establish conditions for the Prison Service to hold crocodiles, advancing a planned Ketziot Prison pilot despite a Jerusalem District Court freeze. The order bars the state from moving Nile crocodiles to the prison while a Let the Animals Live petition is pending. Silman had classified the species as managed wildlife, a step intended to permit security bodies to keep it. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who is jointly promoting the project, criticized the court and said the crocodiles would deter terrorist inmates from escape.