Sympathy for Palestinians has surpassed that for Israelis among U.S. voters 18-34 — in less than one month.
A new Quinnipiac University poll found that sympathies for Israel among this age group have sharply declined since the same question was asked on October 17.
Across all age groups, 54 percent say their sympathies lie more with the Israelis, while 24 percent say their sympathies lie more with the Palestinians. This also represents a large drop from 61 percent who said Israelis on the 17th, and 13 percent who said Palestinians.
“Among voters 18 – 34 years old, a majority (52 percent) say their sympathies lie more with the Palestinians, while 29 percent say the Israelis. This is a sharp reversal from October, when 41 percent said the Israelis and 26 percent said the Palestinians,” the pollsters found.
There is also a large divide across political parties.
A plurality (41 percent) said that their sympathies lie more with the Palestinians, while 34 percent said Israelis. In the previous poll, 48 percent said Israelis and just 22 percent said Palestinians.
Approval for Israel’s response to the Hamas attack on October 7th has also declined.
“Forty-six percent of voters approve of the way Israel is responding to the October 7th Hamas terrorist attack, while 40 percent disapprove, and 14 percent did not offer an opinion,” the pollsters report. “In Quinnipiac University’s November 2 poll, 50 percent approved, 35 percent disapproved, and 15 percent did not offer an opinion.”
Again, the pollsters found stark divides between parties and ages.
Quinnipiac reports:
Republicans (73 – 18 percent) approve of Israel’s response, while Democrats (60 – 27 percent) disapprove. Independents are divided, with 44 percent disapproving and 40 percent approving.
18 to 34 year olds: 20 percent approve, while 66 percent disapprove in today’s poll compared to November 2 when 32 percent approved and 52 percent disapproved.
35 to 49 year olds: 43 percent approve, while 41 percent disapprove in today’s poll compared to November 2 when 48 percent approved and 38 percent disapproved.
50 to 64 year olds: 58 percent approve, while 29 percent disapprove in today’s poll compared to November 2 when 58 percent approved and 26 percent disapproved.
65 years and over: 57 percent approve, while 32 percent disapprove in today’s poll compared to November 2 when 59 percent approved and 27 percent disapproved.
“While Americans overwhelmingly believe that Hamas lit the fuse that set the region on fire, support for Israel’s devastating counterattack deteriorates with younger voters,” Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy said of the results.
Voters in the 18–34 bracket also oppose sending more military aid to Israel, by a margin of 65 – 31 percent. In contrast, a majority of those over 65 support it, 65 – 25 percent.
“Could America’s unwavering alliance with Israel in a distant war bring terrorist blowback to our shores? The concern level is running high,” Malloy remarked.
Quinnipiac found, “more than 7 in 10 voters (73 percent) are either very concerned (37 percent) or somewhat concerned (36 percent) that the war between Israel and Hamas could lead to terrorist attacks inside the United States, while 25 percent are either not so concerned (15 percent) or not concerned at all (10 percent).”
