Prison Service weighs Ben Gvir's idea to build Israeli ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ to house terrorists

Israel’s Prison Service recently contacted a crocodile farm in northern Israel to learn about the reptilian predators, after National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir floated the idea of establishing an Israeli version of the American “Alligator Alcatraz” in Florida.

The South Florida Detention Facility, an immigration detention facility located inside Big Cypress National Preserve in Ochopee, Florida, was nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz due to its location in the Everglades, where many alligators can be found in the wild.

Ynet News reported that Israeli prison officials recently visited the famous crocodile farm at Hamat Gader, a hot springs site located on the Yarmouk River in the Golan Heights.

Ben Gvir reportedly first raised the idea of building a high-security prison surrounded by crocodiles near Hamat Gader during a recent security briefing with Prison Service Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Ben Gvir instructed the Prison Service officials to examine the feasibility of the idea, which is currently not at an operational stage.

Yosi Mousanejad, CEO of Hamat Gader, told Ynet News on Monday that the prison official’s visit was focused on learning and gaining a basic understanding of the subject of holding crocodilians like alligators and crocodiles.

“Hamat Gader, as everyone knows, is a tourism site with thermo-mineral baths and a crocodile farm that has existed for more than 40 years, with unmatched knowledge and experience in Israel,” Mousanejad said. “We received a request from Prison Service representatives to come and learn. They mainly came to see, hear and understand — keeping a crocodile in captivity is no simple matter. It’s not a poodle.”

“There are many implications: what crocodiles eat, how much they eat per day, the fact that crocodiles are less active in winter, the specific water height, width and depth they need, fencing requirements — all of these came up in the discussion,” he said.

“Each crocodile, each species, eats different food at different times. No one has yet invented a bowl where you put food and the crocodile comes with a knife and fork,” he said. 

In general, Mousanejad indicated that it would be possible to hold crocodiles near a prison, given that several conditions were met.

“Crocodiles are adaptable animals and can live in a wide range of regions and climates. Almost anywhere in Israel, crocodiles could be raised in captivity if basic conditions are met – a constant water supply, properly designed pools and food,” he said. “But this is a wild animal and a dangerous predator that must be raised in a specific way. You can’t just buy a plastic pool and put it on the side.”

Keeping 60 crocodiles would cost several thousand shekels a week, he estimated, in addition to the cost of handlers, a security setup, water treatment, pumps and electricity.”

Ostensibly supporting Ben Gvir’s rationale for the unusual idea, Mousanejad warned that “A crocodile is a very dangerous animal. There are many documented cases around the world of encounters between humans and crocodiles that end badly for the person,” he said. “How a crocodile will react if someone enters its territory depends on many factors – the weather, whether it ate the day before and more. I would not enter a crocodile enclosure even after they’ve eaten and at the height of winter.”

The prison officials “noted additional points to examine and, at this stage, they are conducting internal staff work to assess the feasibility of the idea,” he concluded.

In December, Ben Gvir explained on 103FM Radio, “We’re strengthening security at the security prisons. Those who remain [after the release of terrorists for Israeli prisoners in Gaza] understand they won’t be released in a deal, and an idea came up. I don’t think it’s a bad one.”

“The Prison Service is doing staff work on the issue,” the minister confirmed. “I don’t know if it will happen. It’s an idea I raised during a meeting with the Prison Service. They’ll examine it and get back to me with professional work. I’m in favor.”