A controversial proposal by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to utilize Nile crocodiles as a security measure at Ketziot Prison has been temporarily blocked by the Jerusalem District Court. The plan, which aimed to surround the facility with the reptiles, faced immediate pushback from animal welfare organizations who argued the move was inhumane and impractical.

The court’s decision serves as an injunction, preventing the transfer of the animals until the state can justify the security necessity and address the ethical concerns raised by the petitioners. The state has been granted until Wednesday to submit its formal response to the court. While the government has framed the initiative as a creative approach to perimeter security, critics have characterized the proposal as an unconventional and potentially cruel use of wildlife for penal management. The legal proceedings highlight a growing tension between the Ministry of National Security’s aggressive policy shifts and the oversight of the judicial system regarding animal welfare standards.