I would think that a nation primary composed of people who have had a rather unpleasant history with government databases would be very reluctant about creating government databases. But then I would be wrong:
The Knesset passed the biometric database law Monday night.
The bill was approved in its second and third readings after all objections were overcome. The final vote was 39-29 in favor.
The bill was significantly changed from its original version.
Over the course of the day it was decided that the database will not include fingerprints of anyone under the age of 16 and will not be used for unusual police applications.
New additions to the law were intended to amend the arrangements for the biometric database, in which all residents of the State will have their pictures and fingerprints taken, but for those who object, their data would be tied to their smart-cards instead of being entered into a database. However, those who choose to not be entered into the database will have to renew their passports and ID cards once every five years instead of every ten.
Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.