Israeli minister proposes 'crocodile’ prison for Palestinians

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has suggested the establishment of a prison surrounded by crocodiles to hold Palestinian prisoners.

According to Israeli media, the idea is “an unusual proposal” and that the Israel Prison Service (IPS) is currently reviewing it to assess its feasibility in preventing jailbreak attempts.

Ben Gvir reportedly raised the proposal during a recent security briefing with IPS Chief Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi. The proposed facility would be located near Hamat Gader, a hot springs resort in northern Israel within the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.

The resort already has a controlled alligator habitat, and crocodiles would be added to the fenced prison to prevent escapes, according to local reports.

Orly Noy, chair of the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, criticised the suggestion, calling it “another grotesque example of the cannibal stage in which Israel is at right now.”

The plan comes amid preparations in the Israeli parliament to vote on a bill proposed by Ben Gvir that would permit the execution of Palestinian prisoners accused of carrying out or planning attacks.