The NY Jewish Week wrote an important piece Friday about APN’s success reaching out through Social Media:
Social media is the new currency of political activism. And which Jewish group has the most in the bank?
No, it's not the AJC or the ADL. Take a look at Facebook for the answer: it's Americans for Peace Now (APN), which currently has 17,039 Facebook users who "like" the pro-peace process organization.
AIPAC, the big pro-Israel lobby, isn't far behind with 16,229 fans, but let's face it: AIPAC has a lot more resources to work with than little APN. An informal survey puts J Street in third place with 10,210 fans; most of the other Jewish groups active on Facebook are way down in the triple digits, if that.
I know there is a horse-race element to this report, but something very important lies behind those numbers. APN’s base is growing for three basic reasons: No, it's not the AJC or the ADL. Take a look at Facebook for the answer: it's Americans for Peace Now (APN), which currently has 17,039 Facebook users who "like" the pro-peace process organization.
AIPAC, the big pro-Israel lobby, isn't far behind with 16,229 fans, but let's face it: AIPAC has a lot more resources to work with than little APN. An informal survey puts J Street in third place with 10,210 fans; most of the other Jewish groups active on Facebook are way down in the triple digits, if that.
1) We have a message that people identify with. We believe in Israel. We believe in peace. We understand that pushing for a real peace effort is critical to Israel’s future. We know that caring for Israel doesn’t mean being heartless when it comes to the needs of the Palestinians.
2) We’re innovative. We’re building communities on Facebook and Twitter. We created a revolutionary iPhone and web app that tracks settlement construction (by the way, an update to the iPhone app will be out any day now). We developed a website that integrates social media seamlessly.
3) We have you. APN’s supporters and activists care about this issue and are willing to take action so that our message is heard. Facebook is a social network where personal updates and information is shared among acquaintances. We wouldn’t have grown to 17,000+ fans if our supporters didn’t share our message with their contacts.
Our work is not finished. Peace talks are stalled. Settlements are growing. The occupation continues. We need you to keep pushing for peace. Help us to demonstrate – over and over again – that Americans want our government to press forward. Help us provide funding for those courageous voices in Israel that speak out against settlements and for negotiations.
Here are four actions that you can take right now:
1) Get your friends to join this email list.
2) Like us on Facebook. Then ask your friends to join us.
3) Write the new leadership of the House of Representatives.
4) Make a financial contribution.
Believe in Israel. Believe in peace. With your help, our movement will get it done!
Noam Shelef
Director of Strategic Communications
Americans for Peace Now
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