Is The Future A Police State Called Israel
A hasty and destructive law
By Haaretz
Tags: Israel News
The Knesset is expected to pass a bill today that would set up a biometric database for all Israel's residents. The law would require everyone to provide fingerprints and photos for ID cards and passports. The bill, the initiative of former interior minister Meir Sheetrit (Kadima), is designed to address the problem of forgery of official documents, duplicate documents for the same person and so-called identity theft for committing crimes or acts against state security.
The law would give the authorities power to violate certain rights of privacy and human dignity. These are recognized in the Basic Law on Human Dignity and Liberty as fundamental constitutional rights that can only be limited moderately and when necessary. Experts have warned of the risk of data being leaked to enemy states and criminal organizations due to the concentration of information in a biometric database and its irreversible nature. Some observers have suggested that the database be split in two with security improved.
The arguments against the bill were not considered seriously enough. It appears that the legislation's aim could be achieved through available technology that is cheaper, more secure and less intrusive, as is done in Western countries. The production of "smart" ID cards without biometric information could achieve the bill's main purpose by preventing the forgery and duplication of official documents. And these cards could be canceled if necessary, like credit cards.
The bill in its current form is not ready, despite minor changes that tried to answer criticism. Its problematic aspects have not yet been thoroughly aired; aspects that blatantly harm the right to privacy. It's not difficult to imagine that a petition would be filed at the High Court of Justice over the law's constitutionality. The government position promising to fix defects in the law through Interior Ministry regulations is not appropriate. A matter like this, which has ramifications on the freedom of the individual, should clearly outline the solution to the problem, and the law should meticulously protect the right to privacy.
The bill should not be passed today before a thorough debate on its provisions. Additional hearings on the bill should be held to create legislation that would ensure the proper balance between society's interest in fighting lawlessness and its interest in protecting freedom of the individual.
Why?
POWER pure and simple.
Power to control the population, is what this is all about.
If this and other bills like it are passed into law then I will be forced to really examine my future support of Israel.
I will not support Israel as a police state where we have a KGB and prisons for people that their only crime is the desire to be free.
Israel can not become a police state we must fight against the governments desire to tyrannize the Jewish people.
