......the protests over the war in Gaza have not extended much beyond college campuses, where a combination of students, anarchists and overtly pro-Hamas activists have ginned up disruptions.
The Post reported that a grand total of about 2,000 people have been arrested nationwide. Small squads of protesters can disrupt speeches, ruin a graduation or clog traffic, but the numbers — and the cause — do not by any measure compare to the antiwar protests that drew hundreds of thousands in the late 1960s. Whatever property damage protesters have caused pales in comparison with the rioting in nearly every major city after King’s murder.
Simply put, the performative displays on college campuses have not drawn mass support. Despite near-nonstop coverage, the Israel-Gaza war ranks far down on the list of voter concerns.
The Post highlighted a YouGov poll showing a plurality of respondents disapprove of the protests with one-fourth unsure how they feel. Even on college campuses, the demonstrations have not gained traction. Axios reported a recent Generation Lab poll showing “Students ranked the conflict in the Middle East as the least important issue facing them out of nine options. ... The survey found that three times as many college students blame Hamas for the current situation in Gaza than they do President Biden.” Furthermore, “A large majority (81%) of students support holding protesters accountable, agreeing with the notion that those who destroyed property or vandalized or illegally occupied buildings should be held responsible.”
Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.