Ben Gvir's crocodiles are the latest weapon in Israel's animal warfare on Palestinians

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has announced plans to deploy Nile crocodiles as prison guards at Ketziot Prison, located in the Negev Desert. The facility, historically known as Ansar III camp during the First Intifada, served as a detention center for thousands of Palestinians between 1988 and 1995. The initiative, which aims to treat Palestinian detainees as animals, involves classifying crocodiles as “cultivated wild animals” under the authority of Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman. These reptiles will be released into moats surrounding the prison, effectively transforming the site into a symbolic echo of historical oppression. The program draws inspiration from the U.S. immigration detention center in Florida, referred to as “Alligator Alcatraz,” which former President Donald Trump visited in 2019. That facility, situated in a subtropical wetland, features a mix of alligators, crocodiles, and pythons. By adopting similar tactics, Israel appears to be drawing parallels between its own policies and those of the United States, reinforcing a pattern of using animal imagery to dehumanize and control Palestinian populations. This approach is part of a broader history of animal-related strategies employed by Zionist and Israeli leaders to dominate and subjugate Palestinians. Over time, these figures have frequently likened Palestinians to various animals, ranging from insects to large predators. During the 1960s and early 1970s, Defense Minister Moshe Dayan famously described Palestinians as “wasps” and “dogs.” In the 1980s, Prime Minister Menachem Begin labeled them “two-legged beasts,” while former Chief of Staff Rafael Eitan reduced the comparison to “cockroaches.” Later, Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir classified Palestinian demonstrators as “grasshoppers.” In 2000, Prime Minister Ehud Barak went further by comparing Palestinians to “crocodiles,” a reference that seems to directly inform Ben Gvir’s current proposal. Rather than merely using such comparisons metaphorically, the plan suggests a literal implementation of these ideas, placing real crocodiles in proximity to Palestinian prisoners. This action underscores a disturbing continuity in the treatment of Palestinians, where they are not only dehumanized through language but also physically subjected to conditions that mirror animal enclosures. The use of animals in oppressive contexts extends beyond rhetoric. Israeli forces have systematically targeted Palestinian animals, including livestock and wildlife, as part of military operations and settlement expansion. In 2018, the native Palestinian viper was reportedly stolen and declared Israel’s “national snake.” Settlers have also been known to steal Palestinian livestock, further eroding the community’s resources and autonomy. The connection between animal symbolism and actual violence becomes particularly evident in reports of the destruction of Palestinian infrastructure. On 28 November 2023, Palestinian writer and poet Refaat Alareer documented the devastation of Gaza’s zoo, where animals had perished due to the ongoing conflict. Just days later, Alareer and several family members were killed in what has been widely condemned as a genocidal act. Such incidents highlight the intertwined nature of human and animal suffering under Israeli occupation. Historically, the Zionist movement has shown a deep-seated concern for controlling not just land but also its native fauna. Founding father Theodor Herzl, in his diaries, expressed views that included the expulsion of Palestinians and the replacement of local wildlife with European settlers. His writings reflect a vision of complete domination over both people and environment, setting a precedent for contemporary practices. As the proposed deployment of crocodiles proceeds, it raises profound ethical questions about the treatment of Palestinians and the normalization of animal-based oppression. The implications extend beyond the immediate context of prison security, reflecting a systemic devaluation of Palestinian life and identity. The continued use of such tactics signals a troubling trajectory in the ongoing struggle for justice and dignity.