A recent survey has revealed that 60% of Generation Z in the U.S. view Hamas, which is recognized as a terrorist group, as having the upper hand in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
This finding highlights significant generational shifts, with the age group of 18 to 24 noticeably more favorable toward such a violent organization. The Harvard Harris polls released this week show.
The survey posed the question, “Which do you support more in the Israel-Hamas conflict: Israel or Hamas?”
The results indicate that support for Hamas declines and support for Israel increases as people get older. Specifically:
- 65% of individuals aged 25 to 34 expressed a preference for Israel over Hamas.
- 70% of those aged 35 to 44 sided with the Jewish state.
- 74% of people in the 45 to 55 age range supported Israel.
- 84% of those aged 55 to 64 favored Israel over Hamas.
- An impressive 89% of respondents 65 and older backed Israel.
Overall, 74% of those surveyed support Israel, while 26% show backing for Hamas across all ages.
The poll also highlighted partisan differences, revealing that 67% of Democrats lean towards supporting Israel, compared to 82% of Republicans.
Additionally, 58% of Americans believe that Israel should only engage in hostage exchanges if it entails a permanent withdrawal from Gaza.
Recently, Hamas agreed to a so-called “partial” ceasefire, backed by Israel, aimed at facilitating the release of over half of Gaza’s remaining hostages in return for a 60-day truce originally proposed by the U.S.
However, Israeli forces discovered the bodies of two hostages in Gaza this week, raising questions about the timeline of their deaths.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the ceasefire proposal, insisting Hamas must comply with all of Israel’s demands to bring the conflict to an end.
An online survey involving 2,025 registered American voters was carried out from August 20 to 21.
