Ben-Gvir Crocodile Prison Plan: Campaign Strategy Shift

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has directed his Otzma Yehudit party in internal discussions to significantly reduce media attention on a plan to deploy crocodiles as part of prison security infrastructure.

According to a report by Amir Ettinger in Ynet, the decision does not cancel the initiative itself, but rather concerns how it is presented to the public ahead of Israel's 2026 elections.

Ben-Gvir believes that extensive focus on the plan during the campaign period could work against the party, as portions of the public perceive it as a gimmick rather than a serious security proposal.

Until now, he frequently referenced the initiative publicly, which was advanced in cooperation with the Israel Prison Service and included excavating trenches in a pilot program around Ketziot Prison. When construction began at the site, he declared: "Whoever thought this was a gimmick was wrong."

In early August, he visited Ketziot Prison with Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman. They toured the facility and were photographed next to trenches dug near the wing housing Nukhba terrorists.

The visit took place after Israel's District Court temporarily halted the use of crocodiles for security purposes, following a petition filed by the animal rights organization "Let the Animals Live." However, the court permitted continued construction of infrastructure and preparation of trenches as part of the pilot program.

Ben-Gvir's office responded to the Ynet report by stating: "Minister Ben-Gvir continues to lead an unprecedented historic reform in the Prison Service, from toughening conditions for terrorists to upgrading security and defense systems. We will continue to focus on real security work for the safety of Israeli citizens, not media spin."