In an effort to eliminate, or at least significantly reduce fraudulent copies of passports and identity cards, the government has approved biometric documents. Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit earlier in the week stated the new high-tech documents will begin coming off the printing press in 2009. He was pleased with the decision, which he insists will significantly reduce the ability to make forgeries.

At first glance it appears the biometric solution is a state-of-the-art solution to a serious security problem but many Israelis are opposed to providing such information to accommodate a database towards issuing the high-security documents. They feel it is a major invasion of their privacy and challenges may be expected in the courts by civil rights organizations.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)