A new Pew Research Center survey paints a troubling picture of rising discrimination against religious minorities in the United States. The data suggests a strong connection between these negative experiences and the recent flare-up in violence between Israel and Hamas. The survey reveals a dramatic increase in the perception of discrimination among both Muslims and Jews. Since 2021, the percentage of Americans who believe Jews face a lot of discrimination has doubled, jumping from 20% to a staggering 40%.
WAR FUELS DISCRIMINATION
The survey dives deeper, revealing a clear link between the Israel-Hamas conflict and the surge in perceived discrimination. A vast majority of both Muslims (89%) and Jews (72%) say they’ve felt an increase in discrimination against their respective groups since the war began.
AMERICANS SUPPORT FREE SPEECH, BUT DRAW THE LINE AT VIOLENCE
While the survey indicates a general support for free speech regarding Israeli and Palestinian statehood, there are limits. Most Americans (around 70%) believe calls for violence against either Jews or Muslims should not be tolerated.
The survey also reveals a noteworthy shift in the way American Jews perceive discrimination. In previous surveys, they were more likely to identify discrimination against other minority groups. However, this new data suggests a change, with a majority of Jews now feeling increasingly targeted themselves.
A CAUSE FOR CONCERN
The Pew Research Center survey offers valuable insights into a complex issue. The data underscores the concerning rise in discrimination against Muslims and Jews in the US, likely fueled by the recent Israel-Hamas war. It also emphasizes the importance of upholding free speech while condemning violence and hate speech.
Moving forward, addressing these issues requires fostering interfaith dialogue, promoting tolerance, and working towards a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
AGE
- Compared with other age groups, Americans 65 and older are more likely to say there is a lot of discrimination against Jews in our society today. Older Americans are far more likely to report an increase in discrimination against Jews than against Muslims or Arabs.
- By contrast, Americans ages 18 to 29 are more likely to say that Black, Muslim, Arab and Hispanic people experience a lot of discrimination than to say the same about Jews. Adults under 30 are equally likely to perceive an increase in discrimination against Muslims, Arabs and Jews since the start of the Israel-Hamas war (47% each).
- People ages 65 and older are the most likely to say they have felt personally offended by something they saw on the news or social media about the war (41%).
- Adults under 30 are the most likely to say they stopped talking to someone, or unfollowed or blocked someone online, because of something that person said about the Israel-Hamas war (16%).
EDUCATION
- Americans with at least a college degree are more likely than those with less education to say discrimination against Jews, Muslims and Arabs has increased since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
- People with at least a college degree are far more likely than those with less education to say that speech supporting and opposing Israeli or Palestinian statehood should be allowed. Those with lower levels of education are much more likely to say they are unsure.