Israeli court blocks crocodile prison guard plan

The national security minister accused judges of siding with Palestinian detainees by suspending the controversial project An Israeli court has temporarily blocked National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from using Nile crocodiles to guard security prisoners, most of them Palestinians.Ben-Gvir proposed surrounding prisons with crocodile-filled moats in December, arguing that the reptiles would strengthen security and deter escapes.While the Israel Nature and Parks Authority initially deemed the plan unfeasible because Nile crocodiles were considered wild animals that could be be kept only in zoos and sanctuaries, the hurdle was removed last month when Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman redesignated them as “tended wild animals,” potentially allowing their deployment at prisons.On Sunday, however, the Jerusalem District Court issued an injunction against the project following a petition by the animal-rights organization Let Animals Live.Judge Avraham Rubin ruled that the state may not locate crocodiles or prepare them for transfer until further notice. The order will remain in effect while the court considers a longer-term injunction, with the government required to re...