Harvard Caps Harris
January 15-16, 2025
5 Key Takeaways
Americans broadly support resolute action against Hamas while favoring diplomatic progress. A strong majority (66%) backs demanding Hamas's full surrender and hostage return, while an even larger majority (82%) supports the current ceasefire deal, showing balanced public backing for both firm security measures and peace efforts.
Israel's general favorability has declined since October, dropping from 48% to 42% (note that around 30% are unfavorable, with the remainder not taking much of stance either way). This 6-point drop in just a few months signals a concerning trend in public sentiment that requires attention. General favorability goes beyond the conflict, which means that Israel needs to invest more efforts in sharing its story as a people, its culture, business and other offerings so that Americans know what values it contributes to the world.
When asked specifically about the conflict, Americans maintain strong support for Israel (79%) over Hamas (21%), similar to October's levels (81%-19%). The significant gap between supporting Israel in the conflict (79%) versus general favorability (42%) suggests that many Americans who don't particularly favor Israel still prefer it over Hamas in the current situation.
The survey reveals a concerning trend among millennials (ages 25-34) who show markedly lower support for Israel (68%) compared to the national average (79%). Surprisingly, Gen Z's support now matches the general public's position, while millennials have grown increasingly sympathetic to Hamas - a shift that demands attention given this generation's approaching leadership roles in the next 10-15 years.
The media landscape analysis suggests a dual-track communication strategy is essential. While traditional TV news (particularly Fox News and ABC News at 33% each) remains influential, social media platforms have broader reach (Facebook 48%, Google 44%, YouTube 43%), necessitating a comprehensive approach to public outreach. Anyone focusing specifically on these platforms can benefit from the in-depth consumption data this survey provides (to know which platforms have greater impact).
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