Message #37748

[Mark]

Israel Wants National Biometric ID System Fully In Place By 2015 Blood Moons

Israel began the first stage of a pilot program for a biometric database of identity cards and passports that will be fully operational by 2015, officials said. Addressing fears of invasion of privacy, Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar said Monday the system complies "with the highest standards of information security and safeguard[s ] privacy. I recommend that all Israeli citizens take part in the pilot and choose a smart ID," Haaretz quoted him as saying. The pilot program was introduced in the cities of Rishon Lezion and Ashdod Monday, and in Herzliya and Kfar Saba Tuesday. It will run on a voluntary basis for two years before becoming compulsory, the paper said. By the end of the month, citizens across the country will be able to apply for biometric identity cards and passports.

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/Technology/2013/07/09/Israel-goes-biometric-for-IDs/UPI-83401373366600/


Big Brother Atmosphere At Israel's Biometric Roll-Out

Outside the offices, several demonstrators were protesting, including my friend Yonatan Klinger, who is obsessive about the issue. You’d have to be pretty passionate to drive to a rally in Rishon Letzion in the afternoon heat. Klinger was busy preparing a poster that read, “Don’t join the expeiment” − without an “r.” As an objective journalist, I didn’t point out the spelling mistake. In the Interior Ministry hall, photographers gathered around Revital Green, the photogenic director of personnel, who was posing giving her fingerprint. Her ministry friends were enthusiastically photographing the photographers photographing her. “Of course I’m excited, I’ve already issued myself an ID,” said Odelia Shtefal, an outgoing official. “It’s a safer ID. The public is enthusiastic. Many ask when they can get one. I believe 90 percent of the public will agree.”
http://www.haaretz.com/misc/article-print-page/big-brother-atmosphere-at-israel-s-biometric-roll-out.premium-1.534664?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.216%2C2.218%2C