Washington, D.C. – A recent poll conducted by the Israel on Campus Coalition in partnership with Schoen Cooperman Research reveals that a significant majority of Americans support Israel’s right to defend itself amid ongoing tensions in the region. The survey, which included responses from 1,000 U.S. adults, found that 81 percent affirm Israel’s right to self-defense, marking an 11 percent increase from a similar poll conducted just a month earlier.
The poll also highlighted a growing consensus regarding the future of Hamas in the Gaza conflict. A striking 82 percent of respondents believe that any final ceasefire agreement should include the removal of Hamas from power, a notable rise from 57 percent in the previous month.
“These findings demonstrate unwavering public support for Israel and deep concern about the alarming rise of antisemitism, especially on college campuses,” stated Jacob Baime, CEO of the Israel on Campus Coalition. “The American public is clearly advocating for a strong stance against both terrorism and hate.”
The survey results come in the wake of a significant increase in reported anti-Semitic incidents across U.S. college campuses since the Hamas-led attack on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023. Among the 400 college students surveyed, 75 percent reported experiencing, witnessing, or hearing about anti-Semitic incidents on their campuses, with 76 percent categorizing it as a serious issue.
The concerns were echoed by Jewish college students, with 74 percent identifying anti-Semitism as a serious problem on their campuses. Alarmingly, 81 percent of these students reported having either experienced anti-Semitism personally (30 percent), witnessed it firsthand (29 percent), or heard about incidents (22 percent).
The rise in anti-Israel protests and Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) petitions on campuses since the October attack has heightened fears among Jewish students. Nearly 90 percent expressed concern that these activities are contributing to an increase in hate crimes and violence against Jewish individuals.
In response to the growing anti-Semitism, President Donald Trump has pledged to take action against campus hate during his 2024 election campaign. Following his inauguration, Trump signed an executive order aimed at combating anti-Semitism, committing the federal government to use all available legal tools to address unlawful anti-Semitic harassment and violence.
The Department of Education has initiated investigations into “widespread antisemitic harassment” at Columbia University and four other institutions, while also cutting $15 million in federal grants for diversity programs at three universities. Additionally, the Department of Justice has launched a task force dedicated to addressing anti-Semitic harassment in schools and on college campuses.
Despite the focus on anti-Semitism, the Israel-Hamas conflict remains a pressing concern for college students, ranking as their second-most important issue (27 percent), just behind costs and inflation (43 percent). For Jewish students, the conflict is their top priority (40 percent), with 91 percent of college students indicating that the situation is personally important to them.
As the situation continues to evolve, the poll underscores the strong support for Israel among the American public and highlights the urgent need to address rising anti-Semitism in educational institutions across the country.
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