Generation Z and the Israel–Hamas war

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The views espoused by members of Generation Z in the United States in response to the 2023 Israel-Hamas war have gained the attention of researchers and political analysts, as there is a generational divide between Generation Z and older generations on topics such as the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Hamas, and the American government's support for Israel.[1][2] Notably, members of Generation Z are more likely to support Palestine and to oppose Israel than any other generation.[3]

Surveys

October 2023 NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist National Poll

According to an October 2023 NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist National poll which surveyed 1,313 U.S. adults, 48% of Millennials and Generation Z said that the U.S. government should publicly voice support for Israel, compared to 63% of Generation X, 83% of the Baby boomers, and 86% from the Silent and Greatest Generation.[4][5]

Berkeley university survey

In a study conducted by Ron. Hassner, a political science professor at the University of California, Berkeley, 250 US college students were surveyed on their understanding and support for the chant "From the river to the sea" and he found their knowledge to be lacking. Hassner found that 47% of students could name the river and the sea in the region but many lacked basic knowledge about key figures and events in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. When Hassner presented students with factual information on the conflict, their stances changed. The study found that after being educated about the region's geography, history, and current political context, 67.8% of the students who initially supported the chant changed their stance.[6]

December 2023 Harvard-Harris Poll

Between 13 and 14 December 2023, an online survey was conducted by Harvard University and The Harris Poll among 2,034 Americans from all age groups. While the survey assessed a range of political issues, there were several questions about the Israel-Hamas war.

In the survey:[1]

  • 73% of those aged 18–24 believed that the 7 October 2023 attack was a terrorist attack.
  • 66% of those aged 18–24 believed that the 7 October 2023 attack was genocidal in nature.
  • 60% of those aged 18–24 believed that the 7 October 2023 attack was justified by Palestinian grievances.
  • 50% of those aged 18–24 stated that they side with Hamas in the conflict.
  • 51% of those aged 18–24 favoured a one-state solution, in which Israel would be ended and given to Hamas and the Palestinians.

In the survey, Generation Z was more likely to believe the 7 October attack was justified and to support Hamas than any other generation.[1] However, there were some contradictory results, as the majority of Generation Z respondents also believed the 7 October attack was a terrorist attack and that it was genocidal in nature.[1] Furthermore, 67% of Generation Z respondents considered Jews to be oppressors. Yet, 69% of Generation Z respondents also stated that Israel has a right to exist.[1]

Generation Z was the only age cohort in the survey where the majority of the respondents favoured a one-state solution. Specifically, 51% of Generation Z respondents favoured a Palestinian state.[1]

December 2023 More in Common Poll

In December 2023, More in Common conducted a survey among British citizens from various age groups. When members of Generation Z were asked whether they considered Hamas to be a terrorist organisation,[7]

  • 24% considered Hamas to be a terrorist organisation
  • 11% considered Hamas to be a militant organisation
  • 24% considered Hamas to be freedom fighters
  • 35% didn't know what to consider Hamas
  • 5% chose "None of the above"

Generation Z respondents were the most likely to consider Hamas to be freedom fighters and the least likely to consider Hamas a terrorist organisation.[7]

Social media trends

TikTok

The popularity of pro-Palestine content on TikTok has been attributed to Generation Z's tendency to support Palestine over Israel.[8] For example, 87% of TikTok users who view #StandwithPalestine posts are under the age of 35. In comparison, only 66% of TikTok users who view #StandwithIsrael posts are under the age of 35.[8]

Conversion to Islam

A trend was observed of Generation Z TikTok users sharing their conversion to Islam following the Israel-Hamas war.[9] Lorenzo Vidino, director of the Programme on Extremism at George Washington University has attributed this trend to a desire among Generation Z to rebel against Western values.[10] Vidino stated "At this point, what’s more rebellious, what’s more anti-Western and anti-capitalism and anti-establishment, than a conversion to Islam?".[10]

Osama bin Laden letter controversy

In November 2023, several Generation Z TikTok users caused controversy after they shared Osama bin Laden's 2002 Letter to the American People, in the context of the Israel-Hamas war.[11] Videos under the hashtag #lettertoamerica had been viewed 14 million times before the hashtag was removed by TikTok.[12] Furthermore, The Guardian removed the digital version of the letter from their website on 15 November, as many TikTok users were sharing it.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Harvard Caps / Harris Poll" (PDF). Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll. 14 December 2023. pp. 45–69. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  2. ^ Gambino, Lauren (9 December 2023). "Israel-Gaza war sets Biden at odds with youth of America". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  3. ^ Muchnik, Jordan; Kamarck, Elaine (9 November 2023). "The generation gap in opinions toward Israel". Brookings. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  4. ^ "The generation gap in opinions toward Israel". Brookings.
  5. ^ "New Poll Shows Americans Strongly Support Israel, but Generational, Racial Divides Are Wide". KQED. 14 October 2023.
  6. ^ Hassner, Ron E. (2023-12-05). "From Which River to Which Sea? College students don't know, yet they agree with the slogan".
  7. ^ a b "More than Choosing Sides" (PDF). More in Common. 4 December 2023. p. 26. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  8. ^ a b Fischer, Sara (31 October 2023). "On TikTok, views of pro-Palestine posts far surpass views of pro-Israel posts". Axios. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  9. ^ Roy, Jessica (1 December 2023). "On TikTok, an Unlikely Call to Islam Emerges". New Lines Magazine. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  10. ^ a b Burchill, Julie (24 November 2023). "Meet the TikTok teens converting to Islam". Spiked. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  11. ^ a b Klee, Miles (15 November 2023). "Osama bin Laden's 'Letter to America' Goes Viral 21 Years Later — on TikTok". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  12. ^ Moench, Mallory; Shah, Simmone (16 November 2023). "Why Osama bin Laden's 'Letter to America' Went Viral on TikTok". Time. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
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