LOUDONVILLE, New York (WWNY) – Most New Yorkers say antisemitism and islamophobia are on the rise in the state following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
A Siena College poll found 75% say antisemitism has increased and 59% say there’s been an increase in islamophobia.
“New Yorkers see both antisemitism and, to a slightly lesser degree, islamophobia as widespread, and both have increased since the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel,” said Dr. Don Levy, director of the Siena College Research Institute.
Nearly six in 10 say the Hamas attacks are an unspeakable crime that should be condemned without hesitation or explanation, while 25% say they condemn the murder of civilians but believe the attacks were a result of decades of Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.
And while 30% say the death of Palestinian civilians should be condemned without hesitation or explanation, a majority, 54%, say they condemn the killing of innocent civilians in Gaza, but also say Israel had no choice but to attack Hamas to protect itself and free hostages.
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