Washington: Nearly 60 percent of Generation Z voters between the ages of 18 and 24 in the United States (US) support Hamas rather than Israel amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.
The poll, conducted by Harvard University in collaboration with The Harris Poll and HarrisX between August 20 and 21, surveyed 2,025 registered voters. Participants were asked,“In the Israel-Hamas conflict, do you support Israel more or Hamas more?”
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The results were adjusted to reflect the population’s distribution by age, gender, region, race, income, education, political affiliation, and ideology. Additional weighting was applied to account for respondents’ likelihood of participating online.
Support for Israel increased steadily with age, while younger voters showed greater sympathy for Hamas. The survey also examined public opinion on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, partisan differences, and perceptions of genocide.
Key findings are summarised below: CategorySubgroup / AgePercentageSupport for Hamas vs Israel18–24 (Gen Z)60 percent support HamasSupport for Hamas vs Israel25–3465 percent support IsraelSupport for Hamas vs Israel35–4470 percent support IsraelSupport for Hamas vs Israel45–5474 percent support IsraelSupport for Hamas vs Israel55–6484 percent support IsraelSupport for Hamas vs Israel65+89 percent support IsraelHumanitarian crisis (famine accurate)Overall69 percentHumanitarian crisis (famine accurate)Democrats78 percentHumanitarian crisis (famine accurate)Republicans65 percentHumanitarian crisis (famine accurate)Independents65 percentResponsibility for Gaza crisisOverall61 percent blame HamasResponsibility for Gaza crisisYounger votersSlight majority blame IsraelPartisan support for IsraelDemocrats67 percentPartisan support for IsraelRepublicans82 percentPartisan support for IsraelIndependents60 percent blame HamasViews on genocideOverall50 percent believe Israel is committing genocideViews on genocideOverall50 percent do not believe Israel is committing genocideCriticism of IsraelOverall51 percent say criticism is due to human rights concern
The survey comes as Israel’s military campaign continues to devastate Gaza. Nearly 63,500 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, 2023, most of them women and children, and the enclave faces severe famine.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).