Knesset Approves 'Mark Of The Beast' System For All Israelis: Biometric ID To Include Microchip, Hand & Facial Scans

[Pastor Dale Morgan]

*Perilous Times and Big Brother*

Last update - 10:40 08/12/2009

*Israel passes controversial bill to set up biometric database*

By Jonathan Lis
Haaretz Newspaper in Israel


The Knesset passed a bill Monday to establish a biometric database that
might require all Israelis to have a chip installed in their ID cards
and passports with their fingerprints and facial scans.

The bill passed by a large majority in second and third readings
following a prolonged debate and after its original version had been
modified.

The new law postpones the controversial database for two years, during
which a partial database will be set up to give the state time to
examine ways of safeguarding the information.

During those two years, only people who agree to have their details on a
chip would receive "smart" ID cards and passports.

After that, the interior minister would be able to apply the law to all
citizens or extend the probation period by another two years. If after
four years it is decided not to implement the law in full, the entire
biometric database would be deleted.

The MKs dismissed dozens of reservations submitted by the left-wing
Hadash and Meretz parties, and by Labor MK Eitan Cabel.

Under the original bill, all citizens' fingerprints and facial scans
were to be stored in the database. It said ID cards and passports that
were updated as "smart" documents would significantly reduce forgery.

The database was supposed to help solve crimes, but amid sharp criticism
by human rights groups and fears that sensitive information might leak
to criminals or Israel's enemies, a ministerial committee was set up to
hammer out the compromise.

The main fears were that criminals could access the database and plant
false biometric information at crime scenes, or that countries could
expose the identities of Israeli secret agents.

MK Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz), one of the bill's strongest opponents, said
at the Knesset debate Monday that "passing the bill is a grave mistake,
severely infringing on individual liberty."

He held up papers from the Interior Ministry's database with MKs'
personal details that had leaked to the Internet.

"This proves how easy breaking into government databases is," he said.

MK Meir Sheetrit, who initiated and spearheaded the bill, said that
strict security precautions would be taken to prevent leaks. He said the
facial-scan data would be kept separately from the fingerprint data.

"Only employees of the special authority set up in the Interior Ministry
would have access to the database. They would not work anywhere else and
would undergo security examinations and screening .... They would have
to pass a lie-detector test every year to make sure none of them is
leaking or abusing the information," he said. Infractions would entail
heavy penalties.