Despite court order: Minister Silman advances "crocodile prison" project

Minister of Environmental Protection Idith Silman continues to vigorously advance the "crocodile prison" project, despite the Jerusalem District Court's order to freeze the program.

This morning, Tuesday, Silman submitted an official request to the Nature and Parks Authority to set regulated conditions for keeping crocodiles within the Prison Service, with the intention of launching a pilot program around the Ketsiot prison for security detainees in the coming days.

As part of the legal proceedings, Silman is required to present the court with the conditions under which the reptiles will be kept. To facilitate this, she has defined the crocodile as a "well-kept animal"—a classification that allows for uses beyond standard zoo displays. The project, discussed in cooperation with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, is expected to launch as an initial pilot at Ketsiot Prison to enhance the security of the facility. Estimates suggest Silman is working to lift the freeze to significantly advance the project ahead of upcoming primaries.

Alongside Silman’s efforts, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir responded sharply to the court’s decision to freeze the project at its early stages. Ben Gvir accused the judges of undermining Israeli deterrence, claiming that once again, during wartime, the judicial system is siding with terrorists and obstructing vital security measures.

"The terrorists are shaking, but the court has come to their aid," the minister stated.

He concluded his remarks with a forceful statement, asserting that "cleaning the stables in the corrupt judicial system is the most critical task to be done immediately after the elections."