US Jewish teens more likely to criticize Israel, sympathize with Hamas, than diaspora youth

New data shows the worrying reality of how American Jewish teens view Israel.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF NOVEMBER 22, 2024 00:38

(photo credit: KOBI BACHAR)

A newly released survey from Mosaic United, conducted with Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combatting Antisemitism, reveals that Jewish teens in the United States are significantly more likely to hold critical views of Israel and sympathize with Hamas compared to their peers in other countries.

According to the findings, 37% of American Jewish teens expressed sympathy for Hamas, a stark contrast to just 7% of Jewish teens globally. Similarly, 42% of US Jewish teens believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, compared to only 9% of their international counterparts.

These disparities highlight a worrying divergence in how American Jewish teens perceive Israel, influenced by differences in culture, community, and education.

The survey also emphasized the correlation between Jewish educational engagement and positive attitudes toward Israel. Teens who participated in Jewish camps, day schools, or supplementary schools, or who had personal encounters with Israelis (mifgashim), were far less likely to harbor anti-Israel views.

Among those with a strong Jewish background, only 6% sympathized with Hamas, compared to 65% of teens with little to no Jewish educational experiences.

(credit: KOBI BACHAR)

Connection grows with age, but challenges persist

Despite these concerns, the survey offers a hopeful trajectory as Jewish teens grow older. While 60% of 14-year-olds expressed sympathy for Hamas, this figure dropped to just 10% among 18-year-olds, suggesting that ongoing engagement and education can foster a deeper understanding of Israel’s complexities.

Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli called for increased efforts to bridge the gaps: “It is more important than ever to strengthen the bonds between Jewish teens in the diaspora and Israel. We are glad to see that 94% of Jewish teens feel a connection to Israel, but these findings show we must continue educating and supporting Jewish youth globally.”

Alana Ebin, Director of Mosaic Teens at Mosaic United, stressed the urgency of action: “Those with richer Jewish backgrounds are more resilient against anti-Israel sentiments and misinformation. This survey highlights the critical role of meaningful Jewish programming and experiences.”

While the survey reflects concerning trends, the strong emotional ties to Israel reported by 94% of Jewish teens underscore the potential for fostering deeper connections through targeted educational efforts.