Study: Attitudes on capitalism shapeviews on Israel

The S.F.-based Institute for Jewish & Community Research has published a study that documents a marked rise in anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment on U.S. college campuses.

Surveying 1,400 students in 2010 and 2011, the study found a strong correlation between anti-Semitism/anti-Israel sentiment, and anti-business, anti-capitalism and anti-Americanism.

For example, 27 percent of respondents who identified as anti-capitalist believe that Israel practices apartheid, as opposed to 13 percent of those self-identified as pro-capitalist. For those self-described as anti-American, 23 percent agree Israel is a colonizing nation, while among pro-American students only 9 percent agree.

In their conclusion, the study’s authors said, “Anti-American, anti-capitalist and anti-business attitudes do not represent bigotry per se, but they do represent a level of tolerance for simplistic scapegoating that can morph into more dangerous forms. Anti-Semitism and anti-Israelism have gained access to the campus, in part, through exploiting this weakness.”

For more information, or to read the study, visit http://www.jewishresearch.org.