Interior Minister Moshe Arbel: "The passport marathon operation continues in full force."
2.9 million Israelis, or around 37% of the population will have their ID cards expire in the coming years, Matanyahu Englman said.
Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel called for people to be patient and prepare to wait for hours in lines at the passport offices.
The NGOs called on the Interior Ministry to retract the cancellation of visa services, or reduce the plan to two days a week.
The expectation that citizens should roam the length and breadth of Israel in order to find an appointment slot somewhere in order to renew a passport is preposterous.
The amount of issued passports is expected to rise to 300,000 per month with the post office preparing to increase its passport delivery capacity accordingly.
New offices will be opened designated only to issuing passports.
Readers of The Jerusalem Post have their say.
Russian President Vladimir Putin shared his support for the move, which is being implemented in Russia's Kurgan Oblast.
Israel remains steady and able to travel without hassle to many countries across the world - but which passports are the strongest?
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