Poll Highlights Antisemitism Among American Muslims Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

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A year after Hamas militants from Gaza invaded Israel, committing atrocities that included the rape of women and the murder of more than 1,100 people, including infants, a significant portion of American Muslims deny these events and hold troubling antisemitic views, according to a new poll. Despite video evidence of the slaughter spreading globally, a substantial number of American Muslims reject the facts of what took place on October 7.

 

 

When asked to choose between two statements, more American Muslims selected “Hamas did not commit murder and rape in Israel on October 7” than those who acknowledged the crimes. The poll, conducted by J.L. Partners and shared with *The Daily Signal*, revealed that 39% denied the Hamas murders and rapes, while only 31% admitted to them. Another 30% expressed uncertainty, answering with “don’t know.”

 

 

In addition to these concerning denials, many American Muslims (43%) stated that “Israel does not have a right to exist as a Jewish homeland.” In comparison, only 11% of the general public held this view. One-third of American Muslims (33%) affirmed that “Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish homeland,” while two-thirds of the overall American population (66%) agreed with that sentiment. 

 

The poll also shed light on perceptions of Jewish influence. A majority of Muslims (58%) said Jews have “too much power” over the media, while 57% said the same about Jewish influence over federal policy. Older Muslims, particularly those over 65 years old (67%), and college-educated Muslims (64%) were more likely to express these views about Jewish power over the media.

 

 

The survey also revealed contrasting perceptions of rising animosity in the United States. More Americans (57%) felt that antisemitism had increased in the aftermath of the October 7 attack, while 44% believed anti-Muslim sentiment had risen. Interestingly, a third of respondents said anti-Muslim animus had decreased during the same period, while only 20% thought antisemitism had decreased.

 

 

When it came to political and religious issues, American Muslims were more likely to support the idea of making it illegal to display a picture or cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad (50%) compared to the general public (14%). Similarly, they were more inclined to back the formation of a Muslim political party (46% vs. 9%) and the implementation of Sharia law (39% vs. 10%).

 

 

They also favored declaring Islam as America’s national religion (33%), a stance shared by only 9% of the general public. Nonetheless, a notable portion of Muslims opposed these policies: 31% were against implementing Sharia law, and 32% opposed declaring Islam the national religion, although opposition from the general public was stronger (56% and 68%, respectively).

 

It is important to note that the term “Sharia” simply means “law” in Arabic, and interpretations of it vary significantly. While radical Islamist groups, like the Taliban, enforce Sharia in strict and oppressive ways, the understanding of Sharia law among American Muslims is diverse and reflects a wide range of beliefs.

 

While American Muslims proved more likely to oppose Israel’s right to exist, to deny Hamas committed murder and rape, and to ascribe positive motives to Oct. 7, they did not support campus protesters targeting Jewish students who support Israel. The survey asked which of two statements comes closest to respondents’ views: “Jewish students on college campuses who openly support Israel are not valid targets of campus protests” or they “are valid targets.”

 

Nearly half of Muslims (46%) agreed with nearly half of the general public (48%) that these Jewish students do not represent valid targets.

 

Based on a report from Daily Signal 2024-10-08