YouTube CEO and founder Chad Hurley is visiting Israel. Today he met with users in Tel Aviv. He said, "I am happy to be here in Israel. This is my first time here and the aim of the visit is to meet with users in order to understand how we can improve YouTube."

He added, "We created the site to make it easier for everyone in the world top share their talents with other and to build international communities. With time we began to enable users to earn money from their attributes."

Hurley met with Israeli users of what is considered the country's most popular site and reaches millions of viewers. Among them is Kutiman, which "Time" magazine chose as one of the 50 most important projects in the world. The Israeli users told Hurley about the tools they use to create programs and put them on YouTube, and some of those present said they had been using the site since the day it began.

Hurley, 33, was born in Pennsylvania and is a graphic artist by profession although his college degree from the University of Indiana is in finance. ,

Hurley said, "Israel has an important role to play in the development of YouTube."

Hurley sidestepped questions about whereYouTube stands on the Israeli-Palestinian question. He said, "We did not plan it that way but it is amazing to see how YouTube influences politics and helps people know more and be more involved."

Tomorrow Hurley will be in Jerusalem where he will attend the launch of President Peres' personal YouTube channel.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 7, 2009

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