Israel to issue new plastic bank notes
 

Jerusalem
16.09.07

The Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported Sunday that the Bank of Israel is preparing to issue plastic banknotes that may eventually replace the current paper currency.

The bank is planning a trial run of 20 million NIS in plastic bills to begin in February. This new currency will be difficult to tear or forge.

According to the Israeli newspaper, several countries have switched to plastic successfully, including Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.

The Israeli government hopes to save money currently spent on printing replacement bills for banknotes that wear out and are taken out of circulation.

The Israeli Shekel is also used throughout the occupied territories. Palestine does not have its own currency.