A recent Harvard-Harris survey on the views of Generation Z (aged between 18 and 24), towards the Middle East conflict has yielded some shocking results, sparking concern about what this generation is learning and how the spread of information online is influencing their beliefs.
The survey revealed a clear split in support for Israel and Hamas, the Islamist political organization, with 50% of those polled expressing support for each. This raises questions about the understanding of 18 to 24-year-olds about these complex geopolitical affairs and the sources from which they derive their information.
Further results of the poll revealed a worrying trend with 60% of respondents stating that the October 7th attack was justified. Furthermore, more than half of the respondents, 53%, stated it's acceptable for students to advocate for genocide of Jews, while 31% stated Israel has no right to exist.
Misconceptions about the political situation were also prevalent. 44% of those surveyed believe Israel is not a democracy, 41% believe Hamas rules democratically, and 45% think Hamas allows gay people to live openly together. This stands in stark contrast to the views of the wider population, and particularly those over 65, with the majority holding much more favorable views towards Israel.
This disparity points towards a concerning trend, wherein young people are increasingly detached from realities of global political affairs. They lack a complete understanding of the history and current context of the Middle East conflict, relying largely on what they're told via online sources, and are therefore vulnerable to misinformation and propaganda.
The situation on U.S. campuses, where anti-Semitism has been reportedly on the rise, is particularly worrying. Notably, Harvard University has been criticized for its lack of response to displays of anti-Semitic sentiment. This draws attention to the seeming inequality in treatment of different forms of discrimination on college campuses.
This disturbing disconnect between Gen Z and the realities of the Middle East conflict highlights the need for improved education about global affairs and a critical examination of how these young individuals are interacting with information sources.
