DNA disagrees with you.
They are indeed a distinct race. Or breed if you prefer. As we are all part of the human race but people get upset when I point out there is only one race but many breed of humans and some of them look very much alike and yet on the DNA level are a totally different breed.
But of course there are Jews not of that “breed”, as you call it. And many of what you would call “breeds” don’t get special protection.