Poet of note Poet of note

Israel announces new 50 shekel bill

Note unveiled Wednesday features visage of Shaul Tchernichovsky and advanced anti-counterfeiting technology

By ToI Staff 10 September 2014, 6:16 pm

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The front of the new 50 shekel bill depicting poet Shaul Tchernikovsky

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bank of Israel Governor Karnit Flug unveiled a newly designed NIS 50 bill at a press conference Wednesday.

“In order for this note to retain its value, we must guard both security and the economy,” Netanyahu said at a meeting ahead of the launch. Fifty shekels is some $14 at current exchange rates.

He praised both Flug and the Bank of Israel for maintaining the stability of Israel’s finances, and emphasized the need to safeguard the country’s economy as well as raise the 2015 defense budget in light of security threats.

Flug said the new bill, which depicts the poet Shaul Tchernichovsky, features some of the most advanced anti-counterfeiting technology in the world.