Latest US poll: Youngest voters favor Hamas over Israel

All other age groups are more supportive of Israel and disapprove of Hamas’ conduct, blaming the terror group for the hunger in Gaza.

By Batya Jerenberg, World Israel News

The latest U.S. poll on the war in the Gaza Strip revealed one group that favors Hamas over Israel –and by a wide margin: Generation Z, the youngest voters.

In an online Harvard-Harris poll taken between Aug. 20 and 21, 60% of those aged 18-24 said they supported the terror group more than America’s democratic ally.

However, 61% also said they support the position that “Hamas must release all remaining hostages without any conditions or face serious consequences.”

Every other age group expressed more support for Israel, with the numbers rising steadily from 65% of those 25-34 to 74% of the 45-54 cohort, and a fully 89% of the 65+ set.

When divided by political leaning, 67% of Democrats, 82% of Republicans, and 74% of “Independents and Others” took Israel’s side over Hamas in general.

On the question of the release of hostages, support rose to 74% among Democrats and 86% among Republicans, showing broad anger over the captivity of the 48 remaining hostages, 20 of whom are still believed to be alive.

Overall, the respondents expressed skepticism about President Donald Trump’s ability to solve the Israel-Hamas war, with a sharp partisan divide on the question.

Only 16% of Democrats thought he could do it, but among Republicans, a solid majority of 64% believed in the president’s powers of persuasion.

Among Democrats, 28% supported Trump’s handling of the conflict to date, while 83% of GOP voters agreed that he was doing a good job.

When asked if Israel should make a deal with Hamas to get the rest of the hostages back if it meant leaving the terrorists “in place,” 58% said no, agreeing that a deal should be made only if Hamas leaves Gaza.

Opinions were evenly split on Israel’s overall conduct in the war, with 49% approving and 51% disapproving.

Still, 77% disapproved of Hamas’s conduct, including 79% of Democrats, despite an even split about Israel committing genocide in Gaza.

Despite numerous videos of open restaurants and groceries overflowing with candies, let alone basic necessities, the survey showed Hamas’ success in spreading the false image of a famine in Gaza, with 69% believing it true.

Encouraging for Israel is that 61% also said that Hamas was the main actor responsible for the alleged famine.

In general, according to the poll, Israel seems to currently be in the good graces of a minority (42%) rather than a majority of Americans.

This marks a definite decline from pre-Oct. 7, 2023 — but still far more than the approval rating of the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, which stood at 16% and 9%, respectively.

The primary Palestinian antagonists to the Jewish state also have far higher disapproval ratings — 45% and 61% respectively.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was viewed favorably by 27% and unfavorably by 32%. Putin had just a 13% approval rate and 66% disapproval.

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