Email for every Israeli
Email for every citizen
Cabinet ratifies proposal to expand 'Approachable Government' program; all Israelis to receive secure email address to be used for contacts with authorities
TEL AVIV - The Social-Economic Cabinet approved Sunday a plan put forth by Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to expand Israel’s “Approachable Government” program.
The government also approved the “safe deposit box” program, a system of secure email boxes that would allow government offices to send official permits, signed forms, receipts and messages to businesses and individuals.
Eventually, the intention is to supply a secure, personal email inbox to each citizen, in order to improve communications with government officials.
Finance Ministry officials said the system would be built so information would be “pushed” into email boxes by government offices, and users would request official information (using official online forms) and will receive the information in their inboxes.
Safety-deposit boxes
The “safe” would require the recipient to send a “proof of receipt” to the sender. Each sent message would be coded to identify the sender, to allow the recipient to forward the message to a third party, and an expiration date.
In order to use the system individuals and businesses would be required to obtain a "smart" card, a card reader (estimated cost: NIS 55 or about USD 12), and to register an electronic signature (approximately NIS 20 or about USD 4.50).
Members would receive free technical support by telephone, and the service would not be obligatory. Government offices would continue to receive inquiries and provide services in person and by phone.
Finance Ministry officials said the project would allow government offices to better serve the public, shorten the bureaucratic process, and allow the public quick, secure access to information.
