The Power of Skewed Propaganda

"The  youngest cohort of Canadians were far more likely to see Muslims as the victims than Jews, with all other age groups seeing things quite differently."

"Social media consumption likely explains the gap."

Leger survey, conducted for Metropolis Institute and Association for Canadian Studies

 

"There is a significant variation in the sources of information between  [the 18 - 24] cohort of the rest of  the sample."

"Images and messaging they're getting, that is very different than what much of the rest of those surveyed are receiving."

Jack Jedwab, president, Association for Canadian Studies

A majority of young voters say their sympathies lie more with Palestinians than Israelis, according to a new poll. | Marco Bello/AFP via Getty Images

Respondents in a new Leger survey were asked whether Jews or Muslims, in their opinion, were being hit hardest by "expressions of hate" following the Hamas pogrom targeting Israeli citizens on October 7. In virtually every category, a plurality of respondents answered "Jews". They represented a mix of people; Retirees, Canadians with a bachelor's degree, full-time workers. 

 

Among them there was a conspicuous exception; Canadians between ages 18 to 24, in whose opinion it was that Canada was caught in a tide of anti-Muslim hate, the extent of which readily eclipsed whatever was occurring to Canadian Jews in a backlash against the Israel Defense Forces' retaliatory invasion of Gaza. To be clear, however, the protests that first appeared on Canadian streets pre-dated Israel's incursion into Gaza/

 

Two surveys were compared by the Association of Canadian Studies; one in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attack of October 7, another the first week of January. Of the 1,600 respondents of the January poll, 46.2 percent reported an increase in "hateful comments" against Jews; 37.8 percent reported witnessing a similar increase targeting Muslims.

 

In the 24-and-under set of respondents 62.8 percent reported they noted an "increase in hateful comments" against Muslims in the media; 20.8 percent commented similarly regarding Jews. In the event, the average young Canadian turned out three times likelier to characterize the last three months defined by expressions of anti-Muslim hate, instead of expressions of anti-Jewish hate.

The 25 - 35 cohort saw results fairly even; 42.9 percent noted increased hate targeting Jews, and 41.3 percent saw an increase in hate against Muslims. According to Jack Jedwab, president of the Association for Canadian Studies, the results are indicative of younger Canadians consuming and becoming influenced by different media than their older counterparts.

 

People wave Palestinian flags as smoke bombs are set off during a demonstration in support of Palestine in Vancouver. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

 

Available data suggests the ratio of hate incidents targeting Jews rose well out of proportion to any targeting Muslims. Between October 7 and mid-December the Toronto Police Services recorded 98 hate crime occurrences of which 56 targeted Jews, and 20 targeted Muslims and Arabs. Even as Muslims and Arabs represent a much larger portion of the population of Toronto. A similar disparity in hate crimes have been reported to police in Montreal; with 17 attacks investigated as hate crimes against the Arab-Muslim community, while 48 targeted Jews.

In addition to which the 18-24 demographic consistently reported trusting Palestinians over Israelis in reports emanating over the Israel-Hamas conflict. Survey data from the first week of January saw 57 percent of under-24 Canadians claiming they trusted Palestinian sources relating to the conflict in comparison to 44 percent who trusted Israeli sources. Those sentiments were flipped in responses coming from the older age demographics.

The poll also indicated that a majority of Canadians believe "lasting peace" is not possible under current conditions. To the question "do you believe that lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians can be reached in the future?" sixty percent responded "no".

Police investigators examine the exterior of a synagogue in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que., where an incendiary device was ignited. (Francois Joly/Radio-Canada)