Playing politics on Facebook

May 03, 2007 04:35 AM
Antonia Zerbisias

A new front in the Arab-Israeli conflict has opened.

Facebook.

The wildly popular social networking site – 20 million-plus members – is not so social when it comes to a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians. Not even a virtual two-state solution on a website which otherwise used to be about kids posting photos of themselves drinking and getting down and dirty.

For the over-30s who have not yet logged on, here’s what you need to know: the site boasts groups that anybody can create and/or join. And, according to Matt Hicks, senior manager of corporate communications, “As long as the groups meet our terms of use, they can stay up. But we encourage users to report anything that is racist or objectionable.”

Typically groups are silly, sophomoric things. “Who needs sex? U of T f–ks me everyday!” or “30 Reasons Girls Should Call It A Night” or “Muslim Guys Who Wish to Play Paintball and not be Suspected.”

Lately, ever since Canadian political types joined, groups have become more sober, less spring break. (That’s how you know Facebook has jumped the shark. But that’s another column.)

This week, an email from CanPalNet, which “gathers Canadians of all backgrounds who support the human, democratic, and national rights of the Palestinian people,” asked me to add my name to the more than 8,000 on a petition addressed to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

It submits that he not eliminate Palestine from the drop-down list of places members can use to show where they live.The petition is in response to a Facebook group formed a few months ago, “`Palestine’ Is not a country … Delist it from Facebook as a country!” It asks its 8,300 members to demand that Zuckerberg remove Palestine.

“What is/was Palestine?” ask the group administrators. “Where are/were its borders? From where did the Palestinian nation originate? How far back does its history trace? Explain Palestinian culture during the 1930’s (sic) to the 1950’s (sic)? Before Israelis, how was the Palestinian government structured?”

Etc., etc.

Unto ages of ages.

Unlike most other Facebook groups, it has no “discussion board” or, ironically, “wall” on which members may post responses. Debate is cut off. But, say the creators, that’s “because of the Anti-Semitic rants … by Islamic fascists. Use another group for that because racism towards Jews, Muslims, Christians or any other faith is not tolerated here …”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE….

Short URL: http://tinyurl.com/yjnzdyh