A shocking new survey has found that Hamas now holds a slightly higher favorability rating than the Israeli government among U.S. university students — a reflection of what researchers call a “deeply hostile” climate toward Israel and Jewish students since the October 7 attacks.

The poll, conducted by Schoen Cooperman Research for the Israel on Campus Coalition, surveyed 500 students nationwide between October 15 and 21. It found that 19% of respondents viewed Hamas favorably, compared to 18% for the Israeli government. Meanwhile, 45% held an unfavorable view of Hamas, compared to 56% who viewed Israel unfavorably — an 11-point gap that researchers said is statistically significant.

“Students are hostile toward Hamas to a lesser degree than they are toward Israel,” said Carly Cooperman, CEO of Schoen Cooperman Research. “Many are unfamiliar with Hamas or have no opinion, but the results show a profound negative shift toward Israel.”

That shift has been accompanied by a surge in antisemitism, according to Jacob Baime, CEO of the Israel on Campus Coalition.

“Students on U.S. campuses have become profoundly hostile to anyone who is Jewish or pro-Israel,” he said, citing findings that 54% of students believe Jew-hatred has increased since October 7.

The survey revealed that 55% of students support ongoing anti-Israel protests on campus, while just 26% oppose them. Nearly half (45%) said continued demonstrations after the ceasefire “prove” antisemitic motivations, but 29% called the protests “legitimate and should continue.”

A majority — 54% — said Israel’s military actions in Gaza amounted to war crimes, while only 25% disagreed. Forty-two percent blamed both Hamas and Israel equally for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while nearly one-third (31%) blamed Israel alone.

Even Israel’s core legitimacy is now contested: just 46% of students agreed that Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state, while 28% said it does not. Nearly half (49%) voiced support for university divestment from Israel, compared to 31% opposed.

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