Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions towards Israel and Palestine and Willingness to engage in Pro-Palestinian Activism

Abstract

Significant research has been conducted on the correlation between historical knowledge and perceptions of contemporary injustice, primarily within U.S. racial contexts. Despite the ongoing crisis between Israel and Palestine, little work has explored how knowledge of historical events can shape one’s political consciousness and militancy towards this unfolding conflict.  In response to this absence, this study investigates how undergraduate students’ historical knowledge about Israel and Palestine influences their perceptions of injustice since October 7th and it examines the extent of their support for and willingness to engage in pro-Palestinian activism. The study is also interested in students’ perceptions of repression of pro-Palestinian support on Simon Fraser University’s campus (SFU). Data will be collected from approximately 200 Simon Fraser University undergraduates in Spring 2026. Participants will complete a self-report questionnaire assessing historical and contemporary knowledge, perceived injustice, attitudes, activism-related behaviors, and perceived repression on the SFU campus. We anticipate that greater historical knowledge will be associated with higher perceived injustice and stronger willingness to engage in activism. Demographic factors- including religion, ethnicity, and political orientation will also be examined as potential correlates of perceived injustice. This study contributes new insights that will advance knowledge in both Psychology and Political Science by offering a timely investigation into the interconnections between historical knowledge and perceptions and responses to ongoing political crises. More broadly, these findings can be useful to SFU and universities across the country to review and reorient campus policies surrounding the freedom of expression for all students in and beyond the classroom.