Most American college students have no idea why they hate Israel

During a survey, after confronting the students with their incorrect subject knowledge or lack of knowledge, 67.8 percent of them changed their previous supporter's position.

The slogan "From the river to the sea" became popular in the 1960s for politicians, activists and terrorist organizations campaigning for the creation of a Palestinian state. According to the motto that has been used since then, the free Palestinian state should be established between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, largely in the territory of Israel.

However, a survey revealed that the supporters of the slogan are American university students

only 47 percent know about the river and sea in the password.

Ron Hassner, professor of political science at the University of California (Berkeley) and head of the department of Israel studies, and editor-in-chief of the Security Studies , commissioned a polling company to ask 250 American university students from "the most diverse backgrounds" about the slogan. 32.8 percent of respondents enthusiastically, while 53.2 percent less enthusiastically, but supported the use of the password, reports The Wall Street Journal.

Only 25 percent of the surveyed students knew who Yasser Arafat was, and about 10 percent thought that the head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was Israel's first prime minister.

There were respondents who said that the slogan refers to the Nile and the Euphrates, as well as the Dead Sea, the Atlantic Ocean or the Caribbean Sea.

According to Hassner's report, after confronting the students with their incorrect answers, 67.8 percent of them changed their previous supporter's position.

“There is no shame in ignorance unless it encourages the extermination of millions. These students have never seen a map of the Middle East and know little about the region's geography, history, or demographics. Those who hope to support extremism rely on the political ignorance of their audience. It's time for good educators to join the fight and fight prejudice with education."

Hassner wrote.

The article was published on the website of the Tett és Védelem Foundation.

Featured image: AFP