Semites are defined by a shared history and values, not by DNA
Although he is persistent in this (seemingly preconceived) conclusion, his argumentation appears to be rather ‘flexible’. His previous ‘contribution’ cited “Shloma” (read: Shlomo) Sand, whose theory - ridiculed by serious scholars - is that Ashkenazi Jews are descended from Khazars, a Turkic people that may have converted to Judaism between the 8th and the 10th century CE.
Mr. Teegan’s latest comment, however, claims that “Jews living in Israel are non-Semite descendants from the massive, proselytising programme in the first century”.
Before publishing his next comment on the subject, you should perhaps ask Mr Teegan to decide which preposterous theory he actually supports: the 1st century or the 8th century ‘massive conversion’?
Once he does that, it may be possible to address his claims in a more specific manner. As it is, let me just mention that there is zero evidence of any 1st century “massive, proselytising programme”; in fact, at the time Jews were otherwise engaged, mainly dealing with the small matter of a revolt against the Romans - and its rather catastrophic consequences.
As for the Khazar theory, cogent people may wish to wonder why, if Ashkenazi Jews are indeed descended from those Turkic tribes, their language (Yiddish) has retained not one word of Turkic origin.
Since both theories (1st century and 8th century) seem, therefore, very far-fetched, perhaps Mr Teegan may wish to try a different historical period. Centuries two to seven CE appear on the face of it to be available, their history eagerly waiting to be re-written in the service of ‘modern’ political activism!
Someone should perhaps inform Mr Teegan that “Semites” are a linguistic group (including peoples as diverse as Arabs, Maltese and Ethiopians) and not a “race”.
Mr Teegan should perhaps join the rest of us, who live in the 21st century, in understanding that what defines peoples and nations are common culture, values and sense of shared history, not “DNA”, “race”, purity of blood or historical ancestry. Otherwise, he might - for the sake of consistency - be compelled to note that the “Arab-Semite population of Palestine before 1947” descended primarily from 7th century invaders from the Arab Peninsula.
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