More than a quarter (27%) of Americans, ages 18 and up, believe that “Israel is deliberately trying to wipe out the Palestinian population,” per a poll released today from The Economist newspaper and YouGov, a British data firm.
That sentiment was strongest among self-identified liberals (48%) and those aged 18 to 29 (40%). Among conservatives, just 12% agreed that Israel is trying to wipe Palestinians out.
The study included responses from 1,500 U.S. adult citizens, including 208 aged 18 to 29. Conducted between Dec. 2 and Dec. 5, the poll has a margin of error of 3.1% in either direction.
The poll also revealed disturbing levels of Holocaust denial and ignorance among American youth, with younger American adults also holding some of the most negative views about Israel and Jews.
Among 18- to 29-year-old respondents, 20% agreed that the Holocaust is a myth, with 8% agreeing strongly. Another 30% neither agreed nor disagreed.
That demographic was far and away the likeliest to hold such views. Just seven percent of Americans overall said the Holocaust is a myth, with 77% disagreeing. The other 16% were unsure. No respondents older than 65 believed the Holocaust to be a myth.
Young Americans are also a concerning outlier when it comes to other questions about Jews, antisemitism and Israel. Those ages 18 to 29 are the likeliest (28%) to agree that “Jews have too much power in America.” They are also the likeliest (33%) to support boycotting Israel and its products. Of 30- to 44-year-olds, 21% supported boycotting Israel, as did just 6% of Americans over 65.
Those ages 18 to 29 were also the only age group in which a plurality agreed that “Israel is an apartheid state,” with 32% agreeing and 17% disagreeing.
Pluralities of black Americans (27% compared to 22% who disagreed) and self-identified liberals (36% to 18%) also agreed with the claim.
