Google Goes Palestinian

Google, which came online 10 years ago with its leading internet search engine, has taken a political stand, opening up a domain specifically for Palestinian Authority and Gaza Arabs.

Launched August 13,

www.google.ps will be specifically geared toward local Arabs. Previously, they had to use one of Google's 159 other separate domains, several of which were provided in Arabic, such as Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.

PA and Gazan users will automatically be directed to PA Google, due to Google's IP tracking system. Specialized "AdWords" advertisements will also be specifically targeted to that audience. However, Arab dwellers in eastern Jerusalem will not automatically be transferred to the new engine.

This year, Google has launched six new domains in the Middle East and Africa, with plans to spread deeper into Africa in the coming months.

Google opened Israel's Google domain in 2002. More