Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., February 24, 2009 Shvat 30, 5769 | | Israel Time: 12:54 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Mepeace founder Eyal Raviv (Daniel Tchetchik)
Last update - 00:00 11/03/2008
U.S. immigrant builds bridges with the 'Facebook of peace'
By Oded Yaron, Haaretz Correspodent

At some point, every member of the networking website Facebook is invited to join noble campaigns such as "Save Darfur!," promote causes such as gay rights, support Barack Obama's presidential bid, or join a "save water, drink beer" group. Virtual activism is on the rise thanks to Facebook and other social networks, but in many cases it is not more than another bland item on the profile page.

The founder of Mepeace.org, a Web site that connects Israelis, Palestinians and people from other parts of the planet, believes that independent social networks are still relevant. A former yeshiva student, Eyal Raviv says he has gone through a long process of secularization and devoting himself to promote peace.

Raviv, who immigrated from the Untied States three years ago, initially conceived his Web site as a forum for Israeli peace activists only. But when he took part in a meeting between Israelis and Palestinians, he says, "a Palestinian told me I was the first Israeli he had met, and that made me realize the site could build bridges between Israelis and Palestinians."
Advertisement
Despite the green background and the abundance of images of olive trees, Facebook users could feel at home while visiting www.mepeace.org. Featuring updates on the activities of other users and a notice board of peace events, it is a social network in its own right.

But the striking resemblance to the most popular social network is not coincidental. "I call it 'the Facebook of peace'," Raviv says.

Why not just create another Facebook group?

"I already have a Facebook group, and we use it to promote Mepeace; to this end we fully integrate Facebook's photo album, video and music applications. But I do deliberate over this question every day. I could have created much more popular Facebook groups, but here we have peace makers, not momentary visitors - people who are dedicated to reaching out."

Related articles:
  • Peres urges world youth to fight anti-Semitism using Facebook
  • CEOs of Facebook and Dell to attend 2009 Jerusalem Conference
  • Number of Israeli Facebook members jumps by 100% since mid-October
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Gilad or Gilad?
    Olmert is too focused on the wrong Gilad.
    Take this waltz
    "Waltz with Bashir" was not made for Hollywood, it was made for human beings.
      1.   "U.S. Immigrant" not "Israeli" 19:01  |  POP 11/03/08
      2.   Another traitor drinks the "peace coolaide" ... news @ 11pm 19:35  |  pace306 11/03/08
      3.   Why do all Israeli "peace activists" ALWAYS end up promoting 19:56  |  spade 11/03/08
      4.   An Israeli peace activist = terror apologist and enabler 20:08  |  Shush 11/03/08
      5.   Some years ago an Israeli teenager met on Internet one Mona,"lets 20:53  |  Absolute Sweden 11/03/08
      6.   a pity 22:16  |  avi 11/03/08
      7.   I am Eyal Raviv. Will you join me on mepeace.org? 22:24  |  Eyal Raviv 11/03/08
      8.   I am Eyal Raviv. Will you join me on mepeace.org? 22:57  |  Eyal Raviv 11/03/08
      9.   Obviously, a noble and important effort 22:57  |  Eyal 11/03/08
      10.   Any chance you address the CONSTANT anti-semitism 23:43  |  spade 11/03/08
      11.   Amazing site, I just checked it out 23:48  |  Li 11/03/08
      12.   Are you going to use this to fight anti-semitism or 23:52  |  V 11/03/08
      13.   Be a Mensch: This a very constructive site! 00:23  |  Ariel 12/03/08
      14.   No and no thanks either 00:44  |  Catholic Israeli 12/03/08
      15.   Congratulations Eyal Raviv 01:12  |  sh 12/03/08
      16.   How could you not want peace? 01:42  |  Rivka 12/03/08
      17.   Thank you for your support and encouragement 01:42  |  Eyal Raviv 12/03/08
      18.   shame on you talkbackers 04:16  |  disgusted 12/03/08
      19.   holier than thou... 17:49  |  Israel_Lover 12/03/08
      20.   mepeace.org is a platform for peacemakers advancing peace 09:09  |  Eyal Raviv 13/03/08
      21.   From a Palestinian 12:13  |  Peace 24/02/09
     Haaretz Hot Topics
    Israel 2009 election results: Voter breakdown
    Israel goes to the polls
    Conflict in Gaza
    Israel vs. Hamas
    Iran: Nuclear and regional ambitions
    More Headlines
    11:42 Olmert: Every effort still being made to free Shalit
    12:01 Amos Gilad hunts politicians and rides them to the top
    12:53 Mofaz: Kadima should strive for unity government
    10:46 Report: U.S. to open permanent Jerusalem office for envoy
    09:05 ADL: Amnesty denying Israel the right to defend itself
    11:46 Teen suspected of killing hundreds of cats in various 'murder scenarios'
    05:28 One year on, horror of yeshiva terror attack still fresh
    12:02 Egyptian policeman shot, wounded near Gaza border
    06:42 U.S. report: Saudis replacing Egypt as regional leader
    04:09 GOP Jewish group blasts U.S. role in lead up to Durban II
    07:56 ANALYSIS / Livni, Barak avoided Netanyahu like the plague
    08:19 Dennis Ross appointed special U.S. adviser to Persian Gulf
    06:12 Dutch social worker with Israeli father blocked from making aliyah
    12:04 Bahrain's crown prince: Britain is too pro-Israel
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Spring Specials-Dan Hotels
    Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Passover Vacations
    The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida
    Camp Kimama Israel 2009
    The best place for your children this summer
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results
    Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved