Knesset Passes Initial Vote on Bill Allowing Israelis to Obtain Passports and IDs Online

By Aryeh Stern

Interior Minister Moshe Arbel introduced a groundbreaking bill in the Knesset last week aimed at overcoming the challenges posed by the Israel-Hamas war. The proposed legislation would enable Israelis to obtain identification documents, including passports, online without the need for in-person visits to government offices.

Under the terms of the bill, which would be enacted as a temporary measure, adults with expired biometric IDs or those set to expire within the next year could submit remote request forms to receive renewed documents by mail. These renewed documents would be valid for up to five additional years.

The proposed legislation outlines a six-month pilot program for processing remote request forms, with the potential for a six-month extension. During this period, the effectiveness of the pilot program would be evaluated, and decisions regarding the long-term implementation of online biometric documentation issuance processes would be made.

Arbel emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “This is a significant step forward for the Interior Ministry, aimed at meeting the needs of citizens and providing a solution for a large portion of the population. Citizens will no longer need to physically visit government offices but can instead order passports or identity cards from the comfort of their homes. Improving service to Israeli citizens is our goal, and I am pleased to see progress being made in this regard.”