After a spring semester that marked significant student protest movements over the war between Israel and Hamas, religious discrimination is at the forefront of many people’s minds. According to the April 2024 CAPS-Harris Poll, the majority of U.S. voters believe antisemitism and Islamophobia are prevalent on college campuses.
When asked if there is a “great deal of antisemitism on campuses” or if the issue has been “exaggerated,” 69% of voters believed there was a great deal, and 31% believe it has been exaggerated. When asked about Islamophobia on college campuses, a smaller percentage (59%) thought it was an issue, with more people (41%) saying it has been exaggerated.
Respondents who fall within the age of traditional college students (18-24) are the least likely (56%) generational group to believe in the prevalence of antisemitism on campuses, with Americans over the age of 65 most likely (78%) to say it is an issue.
Those in the 18-24 age group are 6% more likely to believe Islamaphobia is an issue than those who believe in the high prevalence of antisemitism. Far fewer Americans (54%) in the 65+ group believe Islamaphobia is an issue than the 78% who are concerned about antisemitism on campuses.
Regarding outward displays of religious identification, 63% of respondents believe it is unsafe for Jewish students to wear religious symbols on campus, with 52% saying the same for those wearing symbols of being Muslim.
The Harvard CAPS-Harris poll has been conducted monthly since February 2017. April 2024 results can be found here.
Senior Editor at Good Faith Media.
