[cambridge]

Exactly, among other things. I recall DNA research linking Palestinians to Israelis:
http://www.khazaria.com/genetics/abstracts.html
[Which also contains this interesting line : "Many Spanish-speaking Latinos of the American Southwest are descended from Anusim (Spanish Jews who were forced to convert to Catholicism)"]

[okie01]

Exactly, among other things. I recall DNA research linking Palestinians to Israelis

Well, of course. They're both Semitic.

[Prost1]

My "wife" is among that population. Her relative is a certified geneologist and has discovered many Jewish relatives who converted to catholism in Spain and the came to the "new world". It seems that the converted believed it better to convert and emigrate rather than convert and stay.

That said, it seems that many of Santana's Army were Jewish, since the Texas border is replete with Spanish majority blood and they seem to be of Jewish descent. Last name only provides a powerful source for the postulate.