Yale Freshmen More Critical of Israel Than China, Poll Finds

A recent poll of incoming Yale freshmen indicates a significantly more critical view of Israel compared to China among the incoming class. The survey, conducted by the Yale Daily News, found that 63% of first-year students hold a critical perspective on Israel, nearly double the 35% who expressed critical views of China.

Further breakdown of the data reveals that 40% of respondents reported holding a "very critical" opinion of Israel, a figure four times higher than the 10% who stated the same about China. Conversely, 14% of surveyed students indicated some level of support for China, compared to only 8% who expressed similar support for Israel.

The findings come amidst a backdrop of heightened campus activism and debate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Yale's campus was among many across the United States that saw anti-Israel protests following the October 7, 2023, attacks and subsequent Israeli military operations in Gaza.

In the wake of these events, Yale students organized various demonstrations, including walkouts and rallies. In April 2024, a hunger strike was initiated on Beinecke Plaza by students advocating for the university to divest from defense companies supplying Israel. Later that month, a "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" was established on Beinecke Plaza, mirroring similar actions at other universities. The encampment was eventually cleared by university and local law enforcement, leading to the arrest of 47 individuals, primarily students, on trespassing charges.

Unrest continued through the spring and into the summer. During the university's 323rd commencement ceremony in May 2024, graduating students disrupted President Peter Salovey's address by displaying banners or walking out in protest of the university's response to the conflict.

In April 2025, another encampment was established on Beinecke Plaza in protest of an upcoming talk by Israel's Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The Yale Daily News survey also touched upon students' views on domestic political figures. It found that over 80% of incoming freshmen held a "very critical" view of former President Donald Trump, and 67% expressed a "very critical" opinion of Vice President JD Vance. Additionally, nearly half of the respondents (48%) strongly disagreed with U.S. military actions in Iran. Overall, the survey indicated a predominantly liberal leaning among the incoming freshman class, with 68% identifying as left-leaning.