By Tasneem Kelany
Summary: This study provides a nuanced understanding of West Bank middle and secondary school students’ perceptions of Hamas and the Gaza war following the October 7 attacks. Several key findings stand out:
1.Limited Support for Hamas – Despite Hamas’s prominence in Palestinian politics, the majority of students in the West Bank did not view the group favorably. In fact, Hamas was the least preferred faction among students, with 69% identifying it as their least favorite. This suggests a growing disconnect between Hamas and younger generations in the West Bank.
2.Students prefer economic priorities over ideological or nationalist Aspirations – The overwhelming majority (89%) of students prioritized economic support from political factions, while only 8% listed Palestinian liberation as their main concern. This finding indicates a shift away from militant rhetoric toward practical concerns such as job opportunities and financial security.
3.Strong rejection of a potential war in the West Bank – A striking 94% of students expressed opposition to a potential war between Hamas and Israel in the West Bank. This suggests that, despite varying attitudes toward Hamas’s actions on October 7, most students preferred stability and opposed further escalation of the conflict in their region.
4.Mixed Views on Hamas’s Actions on October 7 – While 39% of students expressed some level of support for Hamas’s attack, a significant 56% responded with “Don’t Know,” suggesting uncertainty or reluctance to take a definitive stance. Only 5% explicitly condemned the attack, indicating either limited opposition or hesitation in expressing dissent.
5.Engagement with Hamas propaganda content but limited ideological alignment – While 56% of students reported enjoying watching Hamas-related material online, this engagement did not necessarily translate into direct support for the group. Peer influence played a role, as 54% of students noted that their friends supported Hamas, yet many still prioritized economic stability over armed resistance.
6.Perception of Hamas’s victory – A majority of students viewed Hamas’s ability to remain in power and inflict casualties on Israeli forces as a form of victory. However, fewer than half attributed this outcome to divine intervention, indicating that their views were shaped more by strategic considerations than religious ideology.
7.Moral Dilemmas Regarding Civilian Casualties – While many students justified Hamas’s attacks as acts of deterrence or revenge, a significant number condemned the killing of Israeli children on October 7, with some stating that such acts violated Islamic war ethics. However, some students attributed responsibility to Israel, arguing that its actions provoked Hamas.
8. Students reported that while teachers did not overtly support Hamas, students observed that nationalist rhetoric was embedded in daily instruction. Many students believed that educators should engage in anti-Israeli discourse as part of the broader Palestinian liberation struggle.
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A study of West Bank Middle and Secondary School Students’ Perceptions of Hamas and the Gaza War Post 7 October War
Introduction
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has long shaped the political, social, and economic realities of the region, particularly for Palestinian youth in both Gaza and the West Bank. While considerable attention has been given to the impact of conflict on Gaza’s population, the perspectives of West Bank students—who experience a different political and security environment—remain understudied. This research seeks to address this gap by examining how middle and secondary school students in the West Bank perceive Hamas, the Gaza war following the October 7 attack, and the broader dynamics of resistance and governance.
The study explores several critical themes, including the extent of support for Hamas among young Palestinians, the prioritization of economic stability over militant resistance, and the role of education in shaping political attitudes. Given Hamas’s governing presence in Gaza and its influence on Palestinian nationalism, understanding how West Bank youth perceive the group is essential for assessing future political trends. Additionally, the research considers the impact of peer influence, media exposure, and nationalist rhetoric within the education system on students’ views of conflict and governance.
By utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods, including survey data and focus group interviews, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the shifting priorities among Palestinian youth. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of whether younger generations in the West Bank continue to align with traditional political and ideological narratives or whether they are increasingly prioritizing stability, economic growth, and nonviolent resistance. In doing so, this research offers valuable insights into the evolving political consciousness of Palestinian youth and its potential implications for the future of the region.
Current Contexts
Following the war in Gaza between Hamas and Israel that erupted after October 7, the perspectives and voices of Palestinian youth in the West Bank have largely been overlooked. Recognizing this gap, the researcher found it essential to address a pressing set of questions to better assess the opinions and real outcomes of the war for West Banker youth, who constitute the majority of the population. The key issues examined include Hamas’s failure to provide decent living standards, its role in promoting radicalism and hatred rather than setting a positive example for young people, the absence of effective ideological alternatives to Hamas’s influence in educational institutions, and the discrimination and isolation faced by non-Hamas-affiliated students in the Hamas-controlled education system in West Bank.
Methodology
The research aimed to explore the perceptions of middle and secondary school students toward Hamas. Given the lack of similar studies, the primary goal was to gain a clearer understanding of how the younger segment of Gazans views the Hamas militant group. A questionnaire was distributed by phone to 621 students from 102 schools across Gaza. Of these, 62 schools were run by the Ministry of Education, which operates under the Hamas-controlled division of the Palestinian Authority, while the remaining 50 schools were managed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
The collected data was analyzed using Excel, and eight additional focus group interviews were conducted via phone calls. These focus groups included students from six schools, totaling 92 participants. Data from the focus groups were analyzed using qualitative inductive methods based on open coding (Cohen et al., 2017). [Cohen, Louis, Lawrence Manion, and Keith Morrison. “Coding and content analysis.”
In Research methods in education, pp. 668-685. Routledge, 2017.] Text units were extracted from interview transcripts and notes, and emerging codes were categorized into themes based on recurring student responses, leading to the identification of common patterns.
Questionnaire Data
The first section of the questionnaire asked students to identify their preferred political faction in Gaza and whether they personally knew an active faction member.
Table 1: Students’ responses (percentage) indicating their preferred political faction in Gaza and their personal acquaintance with a faction member.
Hamas Fattah Other/None
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1-My Favorite faction is 23 32 45
2- My least favourite faction is 69 25 6
3- What I want the most from a faction Economic Personal Liberating
Support Freedom Palestine
89 3 8
4-I personally know a faction’s member Family Friend None
11 31 58
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The data in Table 1 provides insight into students’ political preferences, their least favored factions, their primary expectations from political groups, and their level of personal acquaintance with faction members. The responses highlight key trends in political alignment, priorities, and social influences among Gazan youth.
When asked about their favorite political faction, Hamas was favored by 23 percent of students, Fatah by 32 percent, and 45 percent either preferred another faction or had no political affiliation. The fact that Hamas ranked the lowest among the major factions suggests a lack of broad support for the group among students, potentially reflecting dissatisfaction with its governance, policies, or broader ideological stance.
Conversely, when asked about their least favorite faction, Hamas was the most disliked, with 69 percent of students identifying it as their least favored faction, compared to 25 percent for Fatah and 6 percent for other factions or none. This finding further supports the notion that Hamas faces significant disapproval among students, indicating a potential disconnect between the group and younger generations.
When asked what they wanted most from a political faction, an overwhelming 89 percent of students prioritized economic support, while only 8 percent expressed a desire for Palestinian liberation as their primary goal. Additionally, only 3 percent valued personal freedom as their main concern. This suggests that, for most students, immediate economic well-being takes precedence over ideological or nationalist aspirations. The low emphasis on “liberating Palestine” may indicate a shift away from militant political rhetoric in favor of practical concerns such as job opportunities, financial stability, and basic needs.
When asked whether they personally knew a member of a political faction, 11 percent of students reported having a family member involved, while 31 percent knew a faction member as a friend, and 58 percent reported no personal connections. The fact that nearly half (42 percent) of students personally know a faction member suggests a significant degree of social integration between political factions and everyday life. However, the majority (58 percent) having no direct ties to faction members may indicate a degree of political detachment among many students.
Conclusion
The findings suggest a clear lack of strong support for Hamas among Gazan students, with the group being the least favored faction by a significant margin. Additionally, students overwhelmingly prioritize economic stability over ideological or nationalist concerns, indicating a shift in priorities away from traditional factional struggles toward more immediate socio-economic needs. While many students personally know a faction member, a majority do not, suggesting a level of political disengagement among a significant portion of the youth. These trends may have long-term implications for political engagement and factional dynamics in Gaza, as younger generations appear to be more concerned with economic survival than with political or ideological loyalty.
Table 2: Students’ Responses (Percentage)
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SA A DK D SD
5. I support what Hamas did on October 7 11 28 56 3 2
6. I enjoy watching Hamas material online 18 38 42 1 0
7. I think Hamas actions on October 7th were justified 46 12 29 8 5
8. My friends at school support Hamas 51 3 28 18 0
9. I want an October 7th carried out by West Bank Factions 8 2 14 34 42
10. I do not want a war with Israel in the West Bank 82 12 4 2 0
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The data from Table 2 provides insights into students’ attitudes toward Hamas, its actions on October 7, and broader views on conflict and war. Below is a breakdown of key patterns observed in the responses
The data exhibits mixed support for Hamas’s actions on October 7 among the surveyed students as thirty-nine percent of students strongly agreed or agreed with Hamas’s actions on October 7, while fifty-six percent responded with “Don’t Know,” indicating uncertainty or reluctance to take a clear stance.
On the other hand, only five percent explicitly opposed these actions, suggesting either limited opposition or hesitation in expressing dissent.
Further, the data exhibits students’ engagement with Hamas-related content Online. A notable fifty-six percent of students enjoy watching Hamas material online, suggesting widespread exposure or engagement with their content. However, forty-two percent were unsure about their stance on this matter.
Further, students exhibit a huge justification of Hamas’s actions on October 7 as fifty-eight percent of students believed Hamas’s actions were justified, reflecting a significant level of approval. At the same time, twenty-nine percent were unsure, which could indicate either a lack of understanding or hesitation to express a firm opinion. Only thirteen percent actively disagreed with the justification of the attacks.
Peer influence seem to play a role in Hamas’s support amongst the students as fifty-four percent of students reported that their friends support Hamas, indicating a strong social influence within their peer groups. However, twenty-eight percent were unsure, and eighteen percent stated their friends did not support Hamas, suggesting some level of diversity in opinions among students.
On the other hand, the data exhibits limited Support for Similar Attacks in the West Bank as only ten percent of students wanted a repeat of October 7 in the West Bank, suggesting low enthusiasm for expanding the conflict. A combined seventy-six percent rejected this idea, indicating a clear opposition to further violence in the West Bank. Fourteen percent were unsure, possibly reflecting political uncertainty among some students.
The date exhibits a strong desire to avoid war with Israel in the West Bank as ninety-four percent of students stated that they do not want a war with Israel in the West Bank. Only two percent disagreed, and none strongly disagreed, indicating a strong preference for avoiding conflict with Israeli by West Banker students of the Middle and High School. This suggests that, despite some levels of support for Hamas, there is overwhelming opposition to further escalation in the West Bank.
Conclusion
The responses show a complex and sometimes contradictory perspective among students. While many students engage with Hamas content and justify its actions, there is also a strong desire to avoid further conflict in the West Bank. The high percentage of “Don’t Know” responses in multiple questions indicates uncertainty or reluctance to openly express opinions. Peer influence appears significant, with many students reporting that their friends support Hamas.
Focus Group Interviews: Analysis of Student Perspectives
Focus group interviews were conducted with student groups ranging in size from 10 to 20 participants. The majority of students expressed a preference for Fatah as their Palestinian faction of choice. They emphasized that while they did not support war or aspire to a situation similar to that of Gaza, they believed that the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority had maintained stability in the West Bank. Additionally, they perceived Fatah as more relevant to their local community, as many of their family members and relatives were employed in institutions controlled by the Palestinian Authority.
Despite their preference for Fatah, students were critical of both Fatah and the Palestinian Authority, particularly regarding issues of corruption. Many expressed a focus on achieving a higher quality of life, such as acquiring luxury items like cars and gaming consoles, rather than engaging in armed conflict. Nevertheless, some students viewed Hamas as a vehicle for revenge and as an entity that contributed to Palestinian deterrence against Israel. They described Hamas’s actions as a means to make Israel “consider the consequences” of its policies.
The overwhelming majority of students stated that a Hamas-style armed conflict with Israel was not a practical course of action. Instead, they advocated for peaceful resistance and economic development as strategies to safeguard Palestinian rights and maintain their presence in the region. However, many admitted to deriving a sense of satisfaction from news of Hamas attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians, characterizing such acts as “revenge,” “deterrence,” and “the only way to deal with Israel.” Students acknowledged that they rarely accessed Hamas propaganda online due to legal risks posed by the Palestinian Authority but frequently shared Hamas-related videos through the WhatsApp messaging platform.
Regarding the role of education, students noted that while their teachers did not openly support Hamas, they exhibited a strong nationalist stance in their daily instruction. Many believed that teachers should incorporate anti-Israeli rhetoric in their lessons, viewing it as a necessary component of Palestinian liberation efforts. While students expressed openness to the possibility of peace with Israel, they conditioned it on a complete Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and the removal of settlements.
A majority of students expressed disapproval of the killing of Israeli children in the October 7th attack, with several acknowledging that such actions constituted a violation of Islamic laws of warfare. When specifically asked about the deaths of the Bibas children, all respondents agreed that they “should not have been killed.” However, while the majority acknowledged Hamas’s responsibility for the killings, some attributed blame to Israel, arguing that its actions had provoked Hamas.
Most students believed that Hamas was unlikely to take control of the West Bank and expressed concern over the potential destruction of the area in the event of a Hamas takeover. When discussing Hamas leaders assassinated by Israel, students unanimously referred to them as “martyrs.” However, they declined to apply the same designation to Israeli children killed by Hamas, instead asserting that the children were “innocent and would go to heaven.”
A majority of students viewed Hamas’s ability to remain in power and inflict casualties on Israeli forces as evidence of its victory in the conflict. Fewer than half attributed this perceived success to divine intervention. Despite these views, all students expressed a desire to avoid further harm to both Israeli and Palestinian children in future conflicts. Nonetheless, the majority placed primary responsibility for the destruction of Gaza following the October 7th attack on Israel rather than Hamas.
Most students considered themselves “fortunate not to be living in Gaza at this time,” while a smaller minority expressed a desire to become martyrs in Gaza.
Conclusion
The findings from these focus group interviews highlight the complex and often contradictory perspectives among Palestinian students regarding political factions, resistance, and the ongoing conflict with Israel. While a majority expressed a preference for Fatah due to its perceived role in maintaining stability in the West Bank, they also voiced frustration over corruption within the Palestinian Authority. Their attitudes toward Hamas were similarly nuanced—while they largely rejected a Hamas-style armed conflict as impractical, some students still viewed Hamas as a symbol of deterrence and retribution against Israel.
The students’ perspectives also reflect a broader generational shift in priorities. Many expressed a preference for economic development and personal aspirations over engaging in militant resistance, emphasizing the importance of securing a higher quality of life. At the same time, nationalist sentiments remained strong, particularly in the educational sphere, where students believed anti-Israeli rhetoric was essential for Palestinian liberation.
Despite disapproving of the killing of Israeli children in the October 7th attack, many students struggled to reconcile Hamas’s actions with their own ethical and religious beliefs, sometimes attributing blame to Israel rather than Hamas itself. Their views on the war’s outcome further illustrate a sense of duality—while Hamas’s endurance and military operations were perceived as a victory, few believed it had the capacity to take over the West Bank.
Overall, these findings suggest that while ideological affiliations and nationalist sentiments remain deeply ingrained, many young Palestinians are increasingly prioritizing stability, economic growth, and a better quality of life over armed conflict. Their perspectives reflect both a desire for peaceful resistance and an enduring sense of grievance, shaping their outlook on the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Conclusion to the Study
The study provides valuable insights into the perceptions of middle and secondary school students in the West Bank regarding Hamas, the Gaza war, and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The findings reveal a complex and often contradictory set of attitudes, shaped by political, social, and economic factors. While students expressed significant dissatisfaction with Hamas, viewing it as the least favored faction, many still engaged with its content and justified its actions in the conflict. This suggests a tension between ideological opposition to Hamas’s governance and a lingering perception of its role as a force of deterrence against Israel.
A key finding of this study is the generational shift in priorities among West Bank youth. The overwhelming majority of students prioritized economic stability over nationalist or militant aspirations, indicating a growing focus on improving living conditions rather than engaging in armed conflict. This shift is also reflected in their broad rejection of a Hamas-style war in the West Bank and their preference for peaceful resistance and economic development as a means of securing Palestinian rights. At the same time, nationalist sentiments remained deeply embedded, particularly within the education system, where students expected anti-Israeli rhetoric to be integrated into their learning experience.
The responses regarding Hamas’s actions on October 7 further illustrate the complexity of student perspectives. While a considerable portion of students justified the attack, a significant number expressed uncertainty, suggesting either reluctance to take a firm stance or a lack of clear ideological alignment. Importantly, students largely opposed the idea of a similar escalation in the West Bank, demonstrating a strong preference for avoiding further destruction and instability.
Overall, these findings suggest that while nationalist and ideological sentiments remain prevalent, many young Palestinians in the West Bank are shifting their focus toward economic well-being and stability rather than militant resistance. The study underscores the evolving attitudes of Palestinian youth and highlights the potential for alternative political and social narratives that prioritize development, peace, and long-term stability over continued conflict. These insights offer a crucial foundation for policymakers, educators, and community leaders seeking to address the aspirations and concerns of the younger generation in the West Bank.
Dr. Tasneem Kelyany Mazarib is an Israeli-Arab academic and educator and a specialist on research of students at risk and in conflict zones.
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