A significant new study has revealed a troubling generational shift in attitudes towards Jewish people in the United States, with younger Americans now more likely to harbour antisemitic views than their elders.
Key Findings from the Yale Youth Poll
The research, conducted by the Yale Youth Poll and reported by The Bulwark, surveyed 3,400 registered US voters, half of whom were under 35. It focused on their views regarding antisemitism, Zionism, and Israel. The findings mark a stark reversal from historical trends, where older Americans were typically found to hold more antisemitic views.
Participants were asked if they agreed with three statements widely considered antisemitic: that Jews in the US are more loyal to Israel than America; that boycotting Jewish American-owned businesses over the Gaza war is appropriate; and that Jews have too much power in the country.
While 70% of all voters disagreed with all three statements, this figure dropped sharply among younger demographics. Only 57% of 18-22 year-olds and 60% of 23-29 year-olds rejected all the statements.
A Stark Divide on the Political Right
The poll uncovered a pronounced political split among young people. Young conservatives aged 18-34 were significantly more likely to agree with one or more of the antisemitic statements than young liberals.
The data showed that two-thirds of those identifying as "extremely conservative" agreed with at least one statement. Nearly half agreed with two, and a concerning one in five agreed with all three antisemitic propositions presented.
These results emerge amid heightened political concern over anti-Jewish sentiment in the US, following an arson attack on a synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi. They also come weeks after Vice President JD Vance was forced to deny that antisemitism was "exploding" within the Republican party, a claim previously warned about by Senator Ted Cruz.
Generational Shifts on Israel and Jewish Impact
The Yale research indicated a deep generational divide extending beyond classic antisemitic tropes to perceptions of Israel and the Jewish contribution to American society.
When asked if Jewish people have had a positive, negative, or neutral impact on the United States, just 8% of all voters said "negative." However, this sentiment was far more common among the young: 18% of 18-22 year-olds and 15% of 23-29 year-olds viewed the impact negatively.
Support for Israel's existence as a Jewish state also varied dramatically by age. While 46% of the overall sample backed it, fewer than 30% of under-30s did. Conversely, 15% of young adults said Israel should not exist at all, compared to strong support (64%) from those aged 65 and over.
The research team concluded that "both antisemitic views and anti-Israel stances are more common among younger voters." However, they cautioned against assuming a direct causal link, noting the complexity of untangling anti-Israel criticism from pre-existing antisemitic beliefs, and vice versa.
The poll's publication follows recent remarks from Donald Trump, who stated there was "no room" for antisemites in his MAGA movement, telling The New York Times: "I think we don't need them. I think we don't like them."
