Poll: Majority of young Americans believe Jews are 'oppressors,' half of respondents question Israel’s existence amid Hamas war

A solid majority (roughly 67%) of young Americans, aged 18-24, embrace the narrative that Jews are “oppressors” amid Israel's ongoing war against Hamas, according to a new poll conducted by Harvard University’s Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) and Harris Insights and Analytics market research firm.

The poll results are based on a sample consisting of 2,000 registered young American voters. 

Given the widespread misconception that equates Jews with “oppressors,” a whopping 51% of the young respondents reportedly believe that the long-term solution to the Middle East conflict is for "Israel to be ended and given to Hamas and the Palestinians."

The results, however, are mixed, as 69% of the respondents also said that they believe that Israel does have a right to exist. 

The radicalization of the progressive wing of the Democrat Party in the United States in recent years has led to concerns about an erosion in America’s traditional bipartisan support for the Jewish state.

On a more positive note, the new poll indicates that 71% of Republicans and 63% of Democrats believe that Washington should support Israel during the ongoing war in Gaza with the Hamas terror organization. 

Much of the weapons systems used by the Israel Defense Forces are produced in the United States. The Biden administration has so far backed Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas and consistently provided military supplies to the Israel Defense Forces.

Despite domestic challenges in the U.S., there is still high enough approval among both Democrats and Republicans for military aid to be supplied to Israel. By contrast, more than 50% of independent voters oppose U.S. military aid being sent to the Jewish state. 

About 84% of the American public agree that the Hamas Oct. 7 massacre against Israel was, indeed, a severe terror attack, despite support for the Palestinian civilians in Gaza, especially among young Americans,

Almost three-quarters of survey respondents (73%) believe the surprise invasion and attack on Israel by Hamas was genocidal in nature. The same high number of respondents believe that any Palestinian grievances could justify the unprecedented massacre of more than 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of at least 240 hostages into Gaza on Oct. 7, mostly civilians, including women, children, babies and elderly Holocaust survivors. 

Approximately 81% of the American public agrees that the Hamas terror organization must be removed from power in the Gaza Strip. By contrast, only 58% of young Americans between the ages of 18-24 support the removal of Hamas leadership. 

The U.S. survey results showed divided opinions on the issue of who should run the Gaza Strip after the war. Roughly one-third of the general American public believes Israel should control the Gaza Strip.

By contrast, 27% of the respondents believe the Palestinian Authority should assume responsibility for the coastal enclave. Close to 40% of the American public embraces the idea of setting up a new authority in Gaza, backed by moderate Arab states, such as Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. 

Only 14% of young Americans support the establishment of a new authority in Gaza. This age group is almost evenly split between those who believe that Israel should be in charge and those who believe that the Gaza Strip should be handed over to the Palestinian Authority.