Nearly Half of Young Conservatives Hold Antisemitic Views, Support Boycotts, Surveys Indicate

Recent analyses of antisemitic attitudes in the United States reveal a significant prevalence of such views among young conservatives. According to a social media post by Corey Walker, "Almost 50% believe that Jews have 'too much power' and support boycotting Jewish businesses." This statement highlights a concerning trend within a specific demographic.

Academic studies and surveys corroborate these findings, indicating that antisemitic attitudes are more prevalent on the right of the political spectrum, particularly among younger individuals. Research published in Political Research Quarterly and by organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and YouGov have explored these trends. One study found that 47% of young conservatives (aged 18-30) agreed with at least one antisemitic statement, including beliefs about Jewish power and support for boycotting Jewish-owned businesses.

These surveys often measure agreement with classic antisemitic tropes, such as the idea that Jews have excessive control over global finance or media, or are more loyal to Israel than their home countries. Younger conservatives were found to be twice as likely as their older counterparts to endorse stereotypes like Jews having "too much power" and to support boycotts of Jewish businesses in protest of Israeli actions. This contrasts with findings that antisemitic views, while present across the political spectrum, are less common among young liberals.

The discussion around antisemitism has intensified, with various studies attempting to quantify its presence and understand its drivers. While some research points to anti-Israel sentiment on the far-left as a form of antisemitism, the data consistently suggests a higher overall prevalence of traditional antisemitic beliefs within conservative youth demographics. These findings underscore a growing challenge in combating antisemitism, particularly as it manifests differently across ideological lines.