₦airaland Forum

ElSudani:
I guess they got tired of shooting Palestinians.

PHYTECH:
Or they're HAMAS crocodiles. It is very difficult to support Israel on everything

dominique:
The crocodiles were hiding Hamas fighters in tunnels beneath their habitat.

PMForce:
Animals have been living in captivity since 2013 and an NGO claims they have never attacked humans; the government alleges a risk to the local population.
The Israeli government shot down more than 200 crocodiles on a farm in the West Bank, alleging a risk to public safety after years of neglect of the property. The measure was harshly criticized by animal rights organizations, who called it an "unjustifiable execution," especially because, according to them, the reptiles never posed any real danger to the population.

The animals had been confined since the closure of the farm in 2013, located in the Petzael settlement in the Jordan Valley. The property previously operated as a tourist attraction and was later converted into a commercial breeding facility for leather production. After abandonment, the crocodiles were kept in poor conditions, which, according to authorities, led to the practice of cannibalism among animals.

What motivated the slaughter of the crocodiles?

According to an official statement from the cogat, an agency of the Israeli Ministry of Defense responsible for civil affairs in the Palestinian territories, the farm's fence was deteriorated, which would have allowed the escape of several crocodiles for residential areas and nearby nature reserves. After 12 years without a definitive solution and with the owner's refusal to repair the enclosure, the government decided to carry out the slaughter “in a humane manner”.

The action was reportedly accelerated by videos circulating on social media showing young people throwing stones at crocodiles, reinforcing the argument of imminent risk. Even so, the measure generated significant repercussions, especially after the total number of animals killed was released: 262 crocodiles, according to the NGO Let the Animals Live.

What do the farm owner and NGOs say?
Gadi Bitan, who operated the farm for over 30 years, claimed that was not informed in advance about the action and classified the event as an “unjustified execution.” He told the portal Ynet that the animals were “well fed and healthy”, and that no serious incidents had been recorded since the farm closed.


The NGO Let the Animals Live reinforced the criticism, stating that crocodiles “never attacked humans” and that there were viable alternatives to slaughter, such as transfer to sanctuaries or readaptation of the structure. For the organization, the slaughter represents a prolonged failure of public administration to deal with the issue ethically.

Conflict between safety and animal rights
The episode occurs amid a delicate context of permanent tension in the West Bank region, where the Israeli occupation is constantly contested by the international community. The use of occupied land for commercial ventures, especially in sensitive areas such as the Jordan Valley, raises debates on legality, ethics and environmental impact.

Furthermore, the decision reignites the debate on the State responsibility for managing abandoned properties that pose environmental and animal risk. International animal protection organizations already requested an investigation about the case and defend more transparent and scientific criteria for this type of action.

Do you believe the slaughter was necessary? Or do you think the government failed seriously? Share your thoughts in the comments—we'd love to hear your perspective on the balance between safety and respect for animal life.

Righteousness2:
Netanyahu addresses Iranian citizens in wake of worsening WATER CRISIS: As soon as you are free, Israel will provide you with water recycling technology. Take to the streets for your future.

(Amit Segal)