Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

1. According to the data from the visual above, what percent of total U.S. adults sympathize more with the Israeli people than with the Palestinian people?

2. According to the data from the visual above, what percent of total U.S. Republicans age 65+ sympathize more with the Palestinian people than with the Israeli people?

3. According to the data from the visual above, what age group of U.S. adults sympathize most with the Palestinian people?

4. Why do you think that age has such a big impact on people sympathies about the conflict in Israel and Gaza?

5. Major protests about American policy towards Gaza and Israel have been taking place on American college campuses. Students at Columbia and Yale have been arrested and suspended from school and now all classes at Columbia University are going online. Student protestors say they are exercising their freedom of speech. The colleges say these protests present a clear and present danger to other students. Explain whether the reaction of a college administration to student protests would influence where you would choose to attend college?

6. Explain whether your sympathies lie more with the Israeli people, equally with both, or more with the Palestinian people?

7. How do you think the Israeli people and the Palestinian people feel about Americans?

8. Young voters are a large part of the Democratic coalition, and both sides will need substantial youth support in order to win in 2024. How much do you think U.S. support for Israeli* will impact the 2024 election?

9. According to the U.S. Constitution the President has powers to make treaties and the Senate has the power to ratify treaties. Furthermore, the President has the power to appoint ambassadors and the Senate has the power to confirm ambassadors. How do these foreign policy powers illustrate the concept of checks and balances?

10. According to the data from the visual below*, younger Americans are more likely than older ones to have stopped talking to someone because of something they said about the Israel-Hamas war. Explain whether the policy of not talking to people you disagree with generally leads to solutions.

    Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

Contact President Biden on Twitter @POTUS and explain the policy you think the US should adopt regarding Israel and Gaza.

Get Creative

What is one adjective you would use to describe your feelings about the conflict in Israel and Gaza.

Learning Extension*

Read the latest Pew Research Center Report on American attitudes towards Israelis and Palestinians.

Glossary