"Crocodile Prison"... When the Entity Becomes a State Ruled by the Instinct of Revenge

Extremism in Israel is no longer limited to political discourse or election campaigns; it has translated into official policies and government projects that reflect an unprecedented moral and human decline. The project launched by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, known as "Crocodile Prison," is not merely a security measure, as the government claims. Rather, it is an explicit expression of the mentality of revenge and humiliation that has come to control Israeli decision-making, and of a government that sees the Palestinian only as an enemy deserving the harshest forms of punishment, even if it contradicts law and humanity.The commencement of excavation work around Ketziot Prison, the allocation of millions of shekels to implement the project, and the amendment of wildlife laws to permit the use of crocodiles in security facilities are all indications that Israel is not treating the idea as a joke or media propaganda, but as an official project that reflects the tendencies of the most extreme government in its history.The government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, dominated by far-right ministers, no longer hides its philosophy based on collective punishment, dehumanizing Palestinians, and turning them into a permanent target for revenge. Since October 7, punitive measures against Palestinian prisoners have escalated unprecedentedly, from deprivation of food, treatment, and visits, to physical assaults and daily humiliation, and now to considering the use of predatory animals as part of the deterrence system.The idea of surrounding prisons with crocodiles adds nothing to the Israeli security system, which is considered one of the most advanced in the world, equipped with cameras, electronic fences, surveillance devices, and guard towers. Therefore, talk of "enhancing security" seems merely a cover for a policy whose real goal is to instill psychological terror and send a message that Palestinians do not deserve even the minimum human dignity.What is more alarming is that such projects do not face widespread rejection within Israeli society; rather, they often receive support from large segments of public opinion, especially within right-wing and hardline nationalist circles that see every measure against Palestinians as a cause for celebration. Multiple opinion polls during the war on Gaza have shown widespread support for tightening military and punitive measures, reflecting significant backing for stricter policies towards Palestinians, even though Israeli society's stances are not unified and also include voices opposing these policies. This reveals the extent of the shift in public discourse, where calls for revenge are gaining increasing acceptance, while voices advocating for law and human rights are receding.This political and social climate is what allowed figures like Ben-Gvir and Smotrich to move from the margins of political life to the heart of power. These figures did not create this reality alone; rather, it resulted from a broader transformation within Israeli society that gave its trust to hardline right-wing parties, bringing them to decision-making positions, which was reflected in harsher policies towards Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, as well as within prisons.It is no coincidence that the "Crocodile Prison" project faces objections from legal and environmental experts within Israel itself, who confirmed that the project lacks any scientific or professional basis, and that changing the classification of animals for security purposes may violate existing legal frameworks. However, these objections seem powerless before a government willing to change laws and bypass institutions when it comes to tightening penalties on Palestinians.The most dangerous aspect of this project is not the presence of crocodiles themselves, but the idea it represents. It reflects Israel's transition from a state that claims to respect the law, as they say, to an authority that uses intimidation and humiliation as official means to manage the conflict. It also reflects the decline of ethical considerations in the face of hate speech, where anything that achieves revenge becomes acceptable, even if it contradicts international conventions and the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit cruel or degrading treatment of detainees.It has become clear that the current Israeli government is not content with managing the conflict; it is actively fueling it through policies based on brute force, collective punishment, and the dehumanization of Palestinians. When state institutions become tools for producing fear and humiliation, they do not build lasting security but rather lay the groundwork for new cycles of violence and hatred.In conclusion, the "Crocodile Prison" project is not just a new chapter in the record of Israeli policies towards Palestinian prisoners; it is a title for a phase in which human values recede before the discourse of extremism and revenge. A state that harnesses its laws and institutions to legitimize unprecedented means of intimidation and torture reveals a deep moral crisis before it reveals security strength. The continued popular support for stricter policies, despite the presence of opposing Israeli voices, reflects the expanding influence of far-right discourse within society. History shows that societies that allow the normalization of humiliation and dehumanization of others do not guarantee themselves lasting security but open the door to further conflict, while respect for human dignity and the rule of law remains the true measure by which the civilization of nations is judged, not their ability to invent new means of revenge.