Democrats are divided over the anti-Israel protests that have erupted on college campuses across the country this spring over Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza, according to a new national poll.
And the USA Today/Suffolk University survey released on Wednesday indicates that Republicans are mostly united in their opposition to the demonstrations, some of which have turned violent in recent weeks.
The protests in support of Palestinians have grabbed plenty of attention on cable news and on-line coverage. Demonstrators have criticized President Biden’s support for Israel in its battle with Hamas and have called on colleges and universities to cut financial ties with the government in Jerusalem.
HEAD HERE FOR FOX NEWS UPDATES ON THE CAMPUS PROTESTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
According to the poll, 32% of Democrats questioned say they support the demonstrations, with 38% saying they agree with the protesters’ demands but oppose the way they are conducting themselves. Seventeen percent of Democrats said they oppose the protests.
GOP RAMPS UP ATTACKS ON DEMOCRATS OVER ANTI-ISRAEL COLLEGE CAMPUS PROTESTS
It’s a different story with Republicans, 81% of whom said they oppose the protests. Four percent of Republicans questioned said they support the demonstrations, with nine percent saying they agree with the protesters’ demands but oppose the way they are conducting themselves.
Among all voters, the poll spotlights a generational divide.
“Support for the protests was highest among younger voters,” David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, wrote in the poll’s release. “The oldest voters, those 65 and older, is the age group that is the most supportive of Biden, followed by those ages 35 to 49. These older voters are also the most aligned against the protests.”
Asked whether the pro-Palestinian demonstrations reflect antisemitism, 41% said yes and 40% said no.
The Suffolk University poll for USA Today was conducted April 30-May 3 with 1,000 registered voters nationwide questioned. The survey’s overall sampling error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
