Menteri Keamanan Nasional Israel Itamar Ben Gvir rejected a court order suspending plans to place crocodiles around Ketziot prison, according to regional reporting. Alongside Menteri Perlindungan Lingkungan Idit Silman, Ben Gvir inspected the security trenches surrounding the facility’s Palestinian detainee wing.
Court Order Ignored During Facility Inspection
The ministerial visit proceeded despite a Jerusalem District Court ruling issued on August 2, which ordered a temporary halt to the moat installation. The legal challenge was launched via a petition from the animal rights organization Let the Animals Live. According to Middle East Monitor, Ben Gvir stated that crocodiles should be placed at the site despite the judicial block.
“There should be crocodiles here, but the court mengeluarkan perintah dan terus menghalangi apa yang sedang kami lakukan,” Ben Gvir said, according to the sourced reports. He added that officials would fight the decision in court to ensure the implementation moves forward.
Animal Rights Petitions and Security Concerns
The animal welfare group Let the Animals Live filed a lawsuit against Silman, Ben Gvir, and the Israel Prison Service due to welfare concerns for the animals and potential hazards for prison staff. Court filings indicate the organization’s objections center on animal treatment and staff safety rather than the conditions of the detainees. Trench excavation work at Ketziot was already underway when the litigation began.
Did you know?
Ketziot is Israel’s largest high-security detention facility, historically housing individuals detained from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Palestinian prisoner advocacy groups report that the detained population in Israeli facilities has grown significantly since the escalation of regional conflict in October 2023, surpassing 9,600 individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are crocodiles being placed around Ketziot prison?
According to ministerial statements, the plan involves constructing security trenches around the facility’s perimeter, though animal rights groups have challenged the project over welfare and staff safety concerns.
What did the Jerusalem District Court rule?
The court issued an interim order on August 2 halting the installation of the animals while a petition from Let the Animals Live is reviewed.
How has the prison population changed recently?
Data from Palestinian detention organizations shows an 83 percent increase in Palestinian detainees held in Israeli facilities since October 2023, pushing the total past 9,600.
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