More than a third of American Muslims say Hamas did not commit murder or rape on October 7
A new poll shows how the fallout from last year’s Hamas attack on Israel has divided American society, with the potential to influence the outcome of the November elections.
It found that nearly four in ten American Muslims believe that Hamas did not commit murder or rape on October 7 last year.
About 31 percent said they believed the shooters were responsible for such crimes.
The findings, from an online survey of a thousand members of the general public plus a sample of five hundred Muslims, illustrate how decades of conflict in the Middle East are being viewed through very different lenses.
About 59 percent of Muslims said the attack was carried out to “advance the Palestinian cause,” while a majority of the general public (51 percent) said it was because “Hamas wanted to kill Jews and is determined to destroy Israel.” ‘
A survey by JL Partners for the Heritage Foundation examined American Muslims’ attitudes toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack
Only 14 percent of American Muslims said that is why Hamas unleashed its attack.
And the poll, conducted by JL Partners for the Conservatives Heritage Foundationshows how the war will cast a long shadow over the elections.
A third (34 percent) of Muslims said the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was the most important issue for the November 5 election. They considered it more important than inflation and the economy, which was the best option for the general public.
In contrast, only four percent of Americans overall said the conflict was the most important factor in determining their vote.
It illustrates the difficulties facing Vice President Kamala Harris as she tries to win back voters frustrated by the way President Joe Biden has offered full support and weapons to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
On Friday, she met with Arab-American and Muslim leaders in Flint, Michigan, to hear their concerns, one of a series of meetings she has held to calm critics on the left.
The poll showed how much work she has to do. It found that nearly half (49 percent) of Muslim Americans accuse Vice President Kamala Harris of being too pro-Israel, while 29 percent said she has got things about right, and seven percent said she is too pro-Palestine was.
Monday marked one year since Hamas attacked Israel. Hundreds of armed men poured out of Gaza to launch an orgy of violence, killing more than 1,100 people and taking 250 hostage.
People at an encampment on the University of Washington campus protest the university’s ties to Israel and Boeing in Seattle, May 12, 2024
Palestinians transport a captured Israeli citizen, center, from Kibbutz Kfar Azza to the Gaza Strip on Saturday, October 7, 2023
Gaza fighters attacking a nighttime music festival in southern Israel shot and killed revelers at point-blank range on October 7
This aerial view shows abandoned and torched vehicles at the site of the October 7 attack on the Supernova Desert Music Festival by Palestinian militants near Kibbutz Reim in the Negev Desert of southern Israel on October 13, 2023
It was the deadliest day in Israel’s history.
And stories of women being raped and sexually abused soon followed.
Israel responded by launching a bombardment on Gaza as it vowed to destroy Hamas.
American campuses erupted in protest as the Palestinian death toll rose and reports of anti-Semitic sentiment skyrocketed.
The bombardment continues, killing more than 40,000 people, and the conflict has only intensified in recent weeks as Israel targets Iranian allies elsewhere.
Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike in the village of Khiam, seen from Marjaayoun, close to the border with Israel, in southern Lebanon
US President Joe Biden, flanked by first lady Jill Biden and Rabbi Aaron Alexander of the Adas Israel Congregation, lights a candle to mark the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks
Israel has sent ground troops into Lebanon and pounded Hezbollah targets in densely populated areas, including the capital Beirut.
On Monday, Hezbollah launched dozens of rockets at the Israeli port city of Haifa, while the Israeli military also said it had intercepted a surface-to-surface missile fired by Iranian allies in Yemen.
Israel marked the anniversary of the attack with ceremonies and protests in Jerusalem that began at 6:29 a.m., when Hamas launched its attack.
In Washington, President Joe Biden lit a candle at the White House to remember the dead.