Human Rights Alert (NGO)

Joseph Zernik, PhD " PO Box 31440, Jerusalem 91313, Israel; jz12345@earthlink.net ; 91313 " 04413,

Digitally signed by Joseph Zernik DN: cn=Joseph Zernik, o, ou, email=jz12345@e arthlink.net, c=US Date: 2012.07.11 00:55:50 +03'00'

10-07-29 Amendment to the Electronic Signature Act (2001) - compilation of media reports.
ComSign was established as sole Certifying Authority of the State of Israel through conduct of Attorneys Yoram HaCohen and Amit Ashkenazi, falsely appearing and acting on behalf of the office of Registrar of Certifying Authorities, pursuant to the Electronic Signature Act (2001). One qualification, shared by the founding CEO Zeev Shetach, and his successor Gil Yitzhaq both are veterans of the Unit 8200 of Israeli Intelligence.

Attached:
# 1 2 3 4 Record 07-03-06 Zeev Shetach - Nationalization of the certification of electronic signatures is absurd _TheMarker 08-05-29 Portfolio - Zeev Shetach _ Globes 10-07-29 The Knesset passed an Amendment to the Electronic Signature Act (2001) _ People and Computers 11-12-03 Gil Itzhaki will replace Zeev Shetach as ComSign CEO Page # 2 4 7 9

07-03-06 Zeev Shetach Nationalization of the certification of electronic signatures is absurd _TheMarker
Comsign CEO claims that establishment of a government certifying authority for electronic sigantures violates government commitments. The government's decision to reverse the use of private agencies as certifying authorities continues to make waves. Reminder: The use of internet enables the government of Israel to verify the identity of parties electronically, in order to conduct transactions online. In 2001 the Knesset passed the Electronic Signature Act, and the State assigned two private technology agencies as Certifying Authorities for electronic signatures (akin to electronic notaries): SecureNet and ComSign. Thousands of professionals, attorneys, stock brokers, and others are already using ComSign and SecureNet Services. About weeks ago, TheMarker published an announcement that SecureNet ceased its operations for lack for profitability, and in parallel it was published that the State was considering taking back the Cerifying Authority for electronic signatures. The Ministry of Justice announced two weeks ago that a draft bill was submitted for establishing a governmental Certifying Authority. TheMarker obtained a copy of a letter sent by Zeev Shetach, ComSign CEO, to the general comptroller Yaron Zalicha. According to Shetach, ComSign, which remained as the sole Certifying Authority in Israel, will not agree to continue acting as a Certifying Authority, if the Ministry of Justice will establish a governmental Certifying Authority. "The planned

conduct will harm us and cause our closure...," write Shetach. He further claims that the proposed bill contradicts specific promise by the Ministry of Treasury and the Ministry of Justice to the Knesset at the time of passage of the original bill in 2001. ... The Comproller General offered in response: "Regarding the subject of establishing a governmental Certifying Authority, the General Comptroller acts pursuant to professional guidelines by the Ministry of Justice. Attorney Yoram HaCohen, in charge of the Legal Department for Data Security in the Minsitry of Justice, and Attorney Amit Ashkenazi, Registrar of Certifying Authorities in the Ministry of Justice, are the authority in charge of Certifying Authorities in the Ministry of Justice." [NOTE: At the time of publication of this report, Attorney Amit Ashkenazi was NOT authorized as "Registrar of Certifying Authorities" - jz]

08-05-29 Portfolio - Zeev Shetach _ Globers

Age: 53, Position: CEO of ComDa data security corporation

Excerpts:

"After I completed my studies [engineering] I was assigned to Intelligence Unit 8200."

Data Security: became popular in the early 1990s, and we started integrating into the field... Electronic Signatures: When electronic signatures were introduced into use, I was called to the Ministry of Justice and asked to provide explanations, for two years I advised in the process of legislation, until the Act was passed. [The Electronic Signature Act (2001) - JZ] ComSign: We formed contacts with Verisign, a company that secures internet sites, and we started providing through it electronic signature services in compliance with the law. The first project was in the Stock Exchange, [Tel Aviv-jz] we hope to go for an IPO. Nationalization: All of a sudden some people in government came up and pushed for exclusivity on electronic signatures. That will not pass.

10-07-29 The Knesset passed an Amendment to the Electronic Signature Act (2001) _ People and Computers
The amendment addresses the certification authority for electronic signatures between the State and private providers. The State will become a Certifying Authority in addition to private providers, but will not compete with them. Zeev Shetach, ComSign CEO, who fought against the original Act, "The Amendment is the least of all evils, as far as we are concerned. We managed to scuttle the intent of the Ministry of Justice to intervene in a blatant manner in our business activity, and in free market competition." Member of Knesset Shitrit, who was among the brokers of the compromise, says: "The Amendment addresses changes in the market, and balances the interests of the State and the private sector."

11-12-04 Gil Itzhak will replace Zeev Shetach as ComSign CEO _ TheMarker
Until recently, ComSign was the only company that was authorized to certify electronic signatures to corporations and professionals. Gil Yitzhaq (49) was appointed CEO of ComSign, replacing Zeev Shetach. Yitzhaq is a veteran of the 8200 Unit of the Israeli Intelligence, and holds a degree in Computer Science from Newport University in the United States...