The petition argues that the move “changes the legal status of crocodiles and the removal of the control and licensing mechanisms imposed on them as protected wild animals.”
The broadcaster said Let the Animals Live argued that the Israel Prison Service had already begun infrastructure work, including digging a canal around the prison, adding that the National Security Ministry allocated about $6.9 million for the pilot project.
The organisation noted that the decision was made without sufficient legal authority and ignored professional and legal opinions warning of risks to the animals, the public and the environment, KAN added.
KAN said the government has not yet submitted its official position to the court and is expected to do so in response to the request for the injunction.
Animals Live and the Environmental Justice and Animal Rights Clinic at Tel Aviv University said the court’s order prevents irreversible work from proceeding at this stage and protects the welfare of the animals while they continue efforts to have the plan permanently canceled.
Since taking office in late 2022, Ben-Gvir has overseen a tightening of detention conditions for Palestinian prisoners, including policies involving starvation, medical neglect, torture and solitary confinement.
About 9,500 Palestinian prisoners, including women and children, are currently held in Israeli prisons under harsh conditions, with dozens reported to have died as a result of starvation, torture and medical neglect, according to Palestinian and Israeli rights organisations.
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