[Alexander Rubin]

The languages/alphabets are. Hebrew, Phoenician and Greek are all very similar. Arabic came later but is very similar to Hebrew as well.

There was a theory a while back that Phoenicians were Jews, but that was quickly disproven. They were pagan, but some close to Israel converted to Judaism.

Genetically, I don't know if there is a difference between Jews and Phoenicians but I would imagine that there is. Still, we shall wait and see with that.

[Prost1]

"There was a theory a while back that Phoenicians were Jews, but that was quickly disproven."

Of course. Jews are Jews. Phoenicians cannot be Jews. Phoenicians are related to and may be Israelites. Not all Israelites accepted the teachings of Moses. Particularly the northern tribes, which included the region of Phoenicia.

David and Solomon both took wives from Sidon. Lebanon was famous for cedar. I believe the boats were cedar, thus could carry more cargo, sail further and weather the storms without breaking apart.

So, Phoenician or Israeli....probably not a dimes worth of difference.