MK Meir Sheetrit, who heads the Knesset Science Committee, on Wednesday spoke out strongly in favor of the Biometric Bill. Sheetrit, when serving as interior ministry, made the push towards converting to the biometric system, insisting the present identity cards and passports are far too easy to forge and it is essential for the security of the state to accept the Biometric Bill.

According to Sheetrit, there are currently 350,000 people living in Israel today with forged identity cards and the establishment of the biometric database and the changeover is essential to put an end to this growing and alarming trend.

During a press conference on Wednesday, the former minister pushed aside harsh warnings and criticisms of the bill by 14 senior scientists and experts, insisting the precautions being taken are more than adequate to allay fears.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)