Mass killing of 800 crocodiles sparks lawsuit against State: 'Destroyed my life's work'

Gadi Beitan, owner of the Petza'el Crocodile Farm in the Jordan Valley, has filed a lawsuit against the Israeli state seeking approximately 53 million shekels in compensation for the killing of 800 crocodiles on August 3, 2025. Beitan alleges the state acted without warning, destroying a 40-year life’s work and sabotaging a potential sale to a Moroccan buyer. The state defends its actions, claiming the crocodiles posed a danger to public safety due to poor farm conditions and a deteriorating fence, citing instances of crocodiles escaping into nearby communities.

The lawsuit accuses state authorities of acting like “common criminals,” concealing the order to kill the crocodiles and destroying evidence. Beitan claims the farm operated in coordination with the state for decades and that regulatory changes hindered his ability to trade crocodiles. The state counters that the farm was neglected and posed a genuine risk to residents, despite repeated warnings to the owner.

The incident sparked public criticism from environmental organizations and animal rights activists. The lawsuit highlights the alleged lack of legal justification for the mass killing of protected animals and questions the discriminatory nature of the action compared to other incidents involving wildlife encounters. The Civil Administration and Israel Nature and Parks Authority maintain the decision was lawful and necessary to protect human life, while Israel Police state they had no direct involvement in the killing.

(Source：Ynet News)