long time guy wrote:
Ogie Oglethorpe wrote:
Genetically Ashkenazi Jews can be linked to Mizrahi and Sephardic Jews. In fact, Ashkenazi Jews despite a European appearance are genetically proven to originate from the Levant along with other Jewish ethnic groups. Once again, this group has a shared history, a shared language (Hebrew remained with all 3 groups), a shared homeland, and a shared culture. This is one which can be dated back 3,000 years and wasn't just created in the 20th century as the so-called Palestinian people were when it became politically convenient for them.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/10/science/10jews.htmlThe Ethiopian Jews are not part of the original tribes and thus don't have shared genetics. Their origin can be traced back to a group which traveled to Israel about 2500 years ago and brought it back with them when they returned to Ethiopia. Israel was not founded for them, but they of course are afforded the rights of the Law of Return as they are Jewish. The fact that this group exists does not negate the fact that the Jewish people are a distinct ethnic group and by all definitions a nation.
Thanks for answering and in answering you help in validating my point. Shared genetics is based upon ethnic and not religious traits. There isn't anything inherent in being Jewish. Jews with shared traits are those that inhabited similar areas of the world. Middle Eastern Jews don't look much different than Palestinian Arabs. In fact a Palestinian Arab has more in common genetically with a Middle Eastern Jew than he does an Ethiopian or Hungarian Jew.
When You state that Palestinians are a contrived group with essentially similar characteristics as Jordanians and Syrians they should. They are Arabian after all.
This applies to Jews as well. Jews are at their core united by religion. This genetic connection that you speak relates to geographical characteristics not genetics. The shared traits genetically occur as a result of inhabiting similar areas geographically.
It is disingenuous to suggest that Jews share a common story also. Again South African Jews do not share the same story as Polish or German Jews. It is virtually impossible.
You cannot honestly deny the fact that the Jewish people are a nation, which is what my point is. Here is the dictionary:
na·tion
ˈnāSH(ə)n
noun
a large aggregate of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory.
How does that not define the Jewish people?
Common descent: all major Jewish groups come from the tribes and the Levant, proven by genetic testing
History: Their shared history on the Levant and even when scattered via the diaspora, all groups clung to that history.
Culture: There is certainly a common Jewish culture
Language: Hebrew
Inhabiting a particular territory: Once again, Judea
The Jews are not only a nation, but a very distinct one from all others. No other group shares their language, history, culture, or genetics. This is why they have a claim for self determination on their own nation state.
You can also make the same argument for the Kurds, which is probably one of the reasons Israel is a major backer of them. The Palestinians on the other hand are 100% contrived within the last 60 years. If you try to go down the checklist of what makes a people a nation, then what on that list separates them from a Jordanian or Syrian? Jews on the other hand can go back 3,000+ years with archeology and genetic testing to prove it.