Quote:
Originally posted by NousDefionsDoc
GH,
I have to disagree. Your point would be valid if the people living in Israel were all natives of the region. Your theory discounts the thousands that came from Europe over the years and the change that has made in the Jewish people. They only share the common culture/language if they are from there. What you're saying is akin to claiming that Americans are British because some of us have pale skin and we speak English.
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OK, some Israelis (possibly even a large %) may not share a Semite "racial" background (although coming from Europe does not disprove that, a large number of the Jews killed in WWII were Semites). However, they do share the cultural background (it is an integral part of Jewish life, whether from New York or wherever) and if Hebrew speakers (the official language of Israel), language.
Skin color or eye color or racial background is not the key here. Culture is. And what I am saying is not any different than saying that Thai and Lao people are both "Tai" (neither likes hearing it, it doesn't make it false).
Israeli culture is significantly evolved compared to the other Arab nations (I have opinions about the reasons why), but that evolution does not mean it is not an Semite culture (heck, "anti-semite" usually means someone who is prejudiced against Jews).
Regarding calling Americans "British"? No, more akin to calling Americans "Westerners", because we share common cultural roots, concepts, etc. It doesn't make us the same.