Technology can be used for many different reasons; it can be used to send an old friend an email, to look up information for a school project, to take pictures of family and loved ones, or to keep up-to-date with current trends. Israel, however, has found new technology, Facebook in particular, to be used as a way to keep the peace with hostile countries, such as Egypt.
Joel Leyden from the Israel News Agency wrote an article stating why social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter can be used in such a manner.
"We need to take to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and let the Egyptian hear directly from us that...we share similar goals and values. That our past, our present and future historical, cultural and political ties should be determined by all we have in common - not by any differences that can be exploited by Jihadists who wish to destroy any healthy relationship," wrote Leyden.
Leyden and several others at the Israel News Agency urged Israelis to change their profile pictures on Facebook to that of the Egypt and Israel flags, and to post their statuses and comments in their native Arab language that Israel only wishes for peace and stability for Egyptians.
Leyden hopes that by using social media to promote these ideals, Egyptians will take their words to heart and keep up peace treaty with Israel.
Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, and it has a large population of Facebook and other social media network users. Social media sites have become very popular and are very integrated in the lives of the Israeli's, and because of the democratic society, many Israeli's use the internet to keep up to date with what's going on between them and the Egyptians. Leyden ultimately wants to use that to Israel's advantage and have everyone help promote the peace.
