New survey shows how many Democrats support anti-Israel campus protesters’ demands.
The political landscape in the United States is once again being reshaped by the ongoing anti-Israel protests that have dominated college campuses across the nation this spring. Democrats find themselves at odds over these demonstrations, which have been sparked by Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Meanwhile, Republicans appear to be largely unified in their opposition to the protests, which have escalated into violence in recent weeks.
The demonstrations in support of Palestinians have garnered significant media coverage, both on cable news and online platforms. Protesters have taken aim at President Biden’s backing of Israel in its ongoing battle with Hamas, and have called for educational institutions to sever financial ties with the Israeli government.
According to a recent poll released by USA Today/Suffolk University, the divide among Democrats is apparent. Thirty-two percent of Democrats expressed support for the demonstrations, while 38% agreed with the protesters’ demands but opposed their methods. Seventeen percent of Democrats outright opposed the protests.
On the other hand, Republicans overwhelmingly rejected the protests, with 81% expressing opposition. Only 4% of Republicans indicated support for the demonstrations, and 9% agreed with the protesters’ demands but disapproved of their conduct.
The generational gap in opinions among voters is marked, as highlighted in the poll. David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, noted, “Support for the protests was highest among younger voters.” The age group most supportive of President Biden, individuals aged 65 and older, are also the most aligned against the protests, followed by those aged 35 to 49.
As the debate rages on, the question of whether the anti-Israel protests are reflective of antisemitism has emerged. Forty-one percent of those polled believed that the demonstrations did exhibit antisemitic tendencies, while 40% disagreed.
The Suffolk University poll for USA Today was conducted from April 30 to May 3, with 1,000 registered voters nationwide participating. The survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
