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What do you mean by qualifications. You don't need a degree in debunking garbage pseudo-science like British Israelism. You just need common sense. Do some research -- you'll see that: (1) DNA evidence conclusively shows no connection between present day Jews and Brits/Scots/Irish/Welsh; (2) No serious scholar believes that English/Gaelic/Welsh etc. has any connection with Hebrew or Aramaic; (3) Any supposed cultural connections are pretty broad and inconsequential.

It's telling that Brit-Israelism proponents cite scripture (out of context), which can of course be read 100 different ways. It's because all modern, objective science suggests that Brit-Israelism is nonsense.

On the other hand, the Samaritans claim descent from the Lost Tribes. Genetically, they are identical to Jews. They live in Eretz Yisrael. They still speak biblical Hebrew. They still practice a form of ancient Hebrew religion. That's a credible claim. Likewise, genetically Kurds and Jews are one population group (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1626606/posts). That suggests a very close relationship between the two groups, such as partial descent from the Lost Tribes (who were exiled precisely to the area that is now Kurdistan).

Thanks for the ping. I hope you will read my post on this thread as well.

I have one complaint. You mentioned "Brits/Scots/Irish/Welsh." Britain is an island made up of three historical countries: England, Wales, and Scotland. Therefore the Welsh and Scots are Brits and did not need to be mentioned separately. And even more telling, you omitted the English altogether. It is easy to understand why. English national identity has been completely subsumed into British identity, whereas the Welsh and Scots still retain their own national identities. As an "English-American," I would like to see an end to this identification of "British" with "English" and "Great Britain" with "England." The absorption of Englishness into Britishness leaves the Anglo-Saxon peoples of the world without an ancestral homeland--practically the only people in this position. And believe me, this can lead to quite an inferiority complex.

So from now on, either use the word "Brits" to refer to English, Scots, and Welsh or else be sure to list the "English" along with the other two . . . okay?

You're right, British-Israelism is nonsense. However, I'm inclined to regard all these "lost tribes" as nonsense, wherever they come from. The Israelites are the Jews, period. British-Israelism (like its anti-Semitic offspring, "identity") is merely another attempt to reconcile the irreconcilable "two testaments." It really is hearbreaking the mental gymnastics chr*stians will go to to avoid questioning whether the "new testament" is valid. The TaNa"KH is so explicit about an eternal ethnic covenant, yet the Jews have (rightfully) rejected the claims of chr*stianity. Add this to British Protestantism and the belief that the KJV is "the real" Bible and you wind up with British Protestants as the Israelites. (And when I say "British" I mean Scots and Welsh as well as English. Ulster Protetants too, for that matter.)

Thanks for the ping.