veteranstoday--2020-05-11--NEO: Will COVID Crack America’s Racist Egg?

By Gordon Duff and New Eastern Outlook of the Russian Academy of Science ( Est .
1816 ) In early May 2020 , a former police officer living in Brunswick , Georgia , a rural town just north of the Florida state line , aided by his son , ambushed and killed a 25-year-old African American jogger .
This incident isn ’ t unique , as we will see , but it tells a different story now than it would have at other times in America ’ s violent history .
The weeks of lockdown across America , that and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orchestrated campaign of wild conspiracy theories coming out of the failed and disgraced Trump White House , has led to what can only be described as a “ melt down.
” Americans are buying guns in droves but these aren ’ t the “ normal ” American gun owners with their penchant for right wing politics and bar stool bluster .
Americans who never bought guns are afraid , not of their government , and nobody in America trusts the government , but of the possibility of violent unrest .
The most violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been the best armed .
Since 9/11 , they have also been the best organized with millions , even billions , spent building a “ Disneyland of the paranoids , ” intended to not just radicalize but militarize and criminalize as well .
Whatever the source of COVID 19 will turn out to be , American labs , Chinese labs or a natural pathogen , the social destruction it has left in its path clearly serves the 1 % ’ ers who dominate America .
Of the tools they have at their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reliable is race hatred .
While many put their lives on the line , while many , even millions , are rising to meet the challenges , millions of others , of every race and ethnicity , not just the radicalized white underclass , are moving toward violent confrontation .
This confrontation won ’ t be with police or government officials , though Trump has been working to orchestrate exactly that , it will be a race war , black against white and brown , a race war that may well ignite long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even Native Americans .
Nothing is reported of this but those living in America see it every day , name calling , shoving matches , cars and trucks festooned with Nazi or Confederate symbols and occupants better armed than most nations ’ military .
America has become a racial tinderbox , waiting only for a spark to ignite something every American has always feared , that dark subtext of seething bigotry that defines the religious , social and political lives of millions of Americans .
You see , in a nation that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where opportunity for education and advancement is closed off in ways no European could imagine , the sinister beliefs of the uncivilized past deepen , they ripen , they bloom and , under America ’ s current political climate , thay are ready to flower .
COVID 19 may well provide that spark .
Were it not for the dramatic video , this one attack , one chosen at random , would not be remarkable .
The Brunswick killing hit a chord .
Perhaps it was the curious similarity between them and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American mercenaries recently captured in Venezuela .
The attack was , as is now so often the case , recorded and posted on Twitter .
Prior to a public outcry at perhaps one of the most brutal and vicious killings witnessed in recent years , local officials had decided to hide the incident and allow the killers to go free .
The killers were white , the victim was black , and the region is a hotbed of Trump support .
Not so many years ago , within the lifetime of many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was considered legal and even “ reasonable ” to kidnap and lynch African American men in Brunswick , Georgia and in every other region of America ’ s South .
Many , very many , want to see those times again and are egged on by Qanon and other Trump hoaxes and , worse still , the steady drumming of fear and hate they receive from “ snake oil ” religious leaders , a veritable army of scamsters and propagandists who prey on the weak minded .
Brutal crimes against minorities , typically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pulpit .
“ A prosecutor in Georgia said he would ask a grand jury to decide if charges should be filed against a white former law enforcement officer and his son over the fatal shooting of an unarmed young black man as he ran through a small town .
The shooting of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery outside Brunswick , Georgia , in February was captured on videotape and posted on social media on Tuesday , stirring outrage over the reluctance of prosecutors to file charges against Gregory McMichael and his son , Travis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken by an unidentified witness in another car , shows Arbery jogging down a narrow two-lane road and around a white pickup truck stopped in the right lane , its driver ’ s door open .
As Arbery crosses back in front of the truck a gunshot is fired .
Arbery is then seen struggling with a man holding a long gun as a second man stands in the bed of the truck brandishing a revolver .
Two more shots are heard before Arbery stumbles and falls face-down on to the asphalt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and demands for justice ; the activist Shaun King posted the video on Twitter , describing it as “ one of the worst things I ’ ve seen in my entire life ” .
According to a police report obtained by the New York Times , Gregory McMichael , a former police officer and district attorney ’ s investigator , told investigators the incident began when he spotted Arbery from his front yard “ hauling ass ” down the street.
” Arbery , who was jogging , was murdered both out of historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in society brought on by the COVID extinction event and the hateful rhetoric of the American president that has empowered criminal elements .
Tens of thousands were murdered for alleged crimes , but more often for political or social activism in what was one of many very real American holocausts .
Across the nation a parallel war was going on against America ’ s native population , which at one time had numbered over 100 million at the beginning of the 16th century .
By the beginning of the 20th only 2 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of America ’ s heritage , perhaps the greatest slaughter in human history .
The root of America ’ s two-party system originated after the Civil War in the mid-nineteenth century .
Party names and platforms overtly change but , behind the scenes , there is one issue that is in the forefront in every election or in times of national emergency and that is racial or ethnic strife .
Trump ’ s near dictatorial rule has been dependent on purposefully Hitleresque policies , attacking the educated and successful and seeking to unite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fearful , those who normally have no interest in politics unless violence and hatred are instilled into the mix .
This has been the “ Trump base , ” those left behind by the modern world , the intellectually crippled , the angry but , as stated , mostly the frightened .
To those who profit from pain , the pandemic has been a gift from the gods .
The Pandemic of 2020 , assuming there will be others , something most experts agree upon , has unveiled deep flaws in American society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the home of the brave ” now seems to be anything but .
Race war isn ’ t the only distraction being orchestrated , as events unfolded in a bizarre May 2020 plot against Venezuela .
While the Trump regime in Washington sends armed thugs to kidnap or kill President Maduro in Caracas it also sends the same ilk , slovenly , overweight , uneducated and mentally unstable , as armed thugs to threaten domestic political opponents such as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer .
While Trump and his Deep State backers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now deceased ) and Adolf Coors , among so many others , believe social unrest will achieve their dark political goals and that COVID 19 is a “ golden opportunity , ” their dreams of empire may well come crashing down on them .
Perhaps the ignorant and slovenly can rise up and crush the sad remains of Western culture as it exists in the United States and the dreamed of society of slavery and tyranny can be brought into fruition as outlined in the Necon manifestos of the pre-9/11 era .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by those who seek to dominate , that all Americans are little more than sheep , may well prove wrong and meet their fate at the end of a rope .
This is certain to happen .
The only question is whether it will be this pandemic or the next .
Gordon Duff is a Marine combat veteran of the Vietnam War that has worked on veterans and POW issues for decades and consulted with governments challenged by security issues .
He ’ s a senior editor and chairman of the board of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ magazine “ New Eastern Outlook .
”

By Gordon Duff and New Eastern Outlook of the Russian Academy of Science (Est. 1816)
In early May 2020, a former police officer living in Brunswick, Georgia, a rural town just north of the Florida state line, aided by his son, ambushed and killed a 25-year-old African American jogger.
This incident isn’t unique, as we will see, but it tells a different story now than it would have at other times in America’s violent history.
The weeks of lockdown across America, that and not just the mass deaths but the orchestrated campaign of wild conspiracy theories coming out of the failed and disgraced Trump White House, has led to what can only be described as a “melt down.”
Americans are buying guns in droves but these aren’t the “normal” American gun owners with their penchant for right wing politics and bar stool bluster. Americans who never bought guns are afraid, not of their government, and nobody in America trusts the government, but of the possibility of violent unrest.
The most violent and ignorant of Americans are and always have been the best armed. Since 9/11, they have also been the best organized with millions, even billions, spent building a “Disneyland of the paranoids,” intended to not just radicalize but militarize and criminalize as well.
Whatever the source of COVID 19 will turn out to be, American labs, Chinese labs or a natural pathogen, the social destruction it has left in its path clearly serves the 1%’ers who dominate America.
Of the tools they have at their disposal, the most effective and most reliable is race hatred.
While many put their lives on the line, while many, even millions, are rising to meet the challenges, millions of others, of every race and ethnicity, not just the radicalized white underclass, are moving toward violent confrontation. This confrontation won’t be with police or government officials, though Trump has been working to orchestrate exactly that, it will be a race war, black against white and brown, a race war that may well ignite long forgotten hatreds against Jews, Asians and even Native Americans.
Nothing is reported of this but those living in America see it every day, name calling, shoving matches, cars and trucks festooned with Nazi or Confederate symbols and occupants better armed than most nations’ military.
America has become a racial tinderbox, waiting only for a spark to ignite something every American has always feared, that dark subtext of seething bigotry that defines the religious, social and political lives of millions of Americans.
You see, in a nation that has centralized wealth more than any other, where opportunity for education and advancement is closed off in ways no European could imagine, the sinister beliefs of the uncivilized past deepen, they ripen, they bloom and, under America’s current political climate, thay are ready to flower.
COVID 19 may well provide that spark.
Were it not for the dramatic video, this one attack, one chosen at random, would not be remarkable.
The Brunswick killing hit a chord. Perhaps it was the curious similarity between them and the armed lockdown demonstrators or, perhaps, the American mercenaries recently captured in Venezuela.
The attack was, as is now so often the case, recorded and posted on Twitter. Prior to a public outcry at perhaps one of the most brutal and vicious killings witnessed in recent years, local officials had decided to hide the incident and allow the killers to go free.
The killers were white, the victim was black, and the region is a hotbed of Trump support. Not so many years ago, within the lifetime of many who still walk the earth, it was considered legal and even “reasonable” to kidnap and lynch African American men in Brunswick, Georgia and in every other region of America’s South.
Many, very many, want to see those times again and are egged on by Qanon and other Trump hoaxes and, worse still, the steady drumming of fear and hate they receive from “snake oil” religious leaders, a veritable army of scamsters and propagandists who prey on the weak minded. Brutal crimes against minorities, typically by police, are always sanctified in the pulpit.
From the Guardian:
“A prosecutor in Georgia said he would ask a grand jury to decide if charges should be filed against a white former law enforcement officer and his son over the fatal shooting of an unarmed young black man as he ran through a small town. The shooting of 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery outside Brunswick, Georgia, in February was captured on videotape and posted on social media on Tuesday, stirring outrage over the reluctance of prosecutors to file charges against Gregory McMichael and his son, Travis. The video footage, which was taken by an unidentified witness in another car, shows Arbery jogging down a narrow two-lane road and around a white pickup truck stopped in the right lane, its driver’s door open. As Arbery crosses back in front of the truck a gunshot is fired. Arbery is then seen struggling with a man holding a long gun as a second man stands in the bed of the truck brandishing a revolver. Two more shots are heard before Arbery stumbles and falls face-down on to the asphalt. The graphic footage has prompted an outcry and demands for justice; the activist Shaun King posted the video on Twitter, describing it as “one of the worst things I’ve seen in my entire life”. According to a police report obtained by the New York Times, Gregory McMichael, a former police officer and district attorney’s investigator, told investigators the incident began when he spotted Arbery from his front yard “hauling ass” down the street.”
Arbery, who was jogging, was murdered both out of historical racism but also because of a breakdown in society brought on by the COVID extinction event and the hateful rhetoric of the American president that has empowered criminal elements.
Tens of thousands were murdered for alleged crimes, but more often for political or social activism in what was one of many very real American holocausts.
Across the nation a parallel war was going on against America’s native population, which at one time had numbered over 100 million at the beginning of the 16th century. By the beginning of the 20th only 2 million remained.
This genocide is the backbone of America’s heritage, perhaps the greatest slaughter in human history.
The root of America’s two-party system originated after the Civil War in the mid-nineteenth century. Party names and platforms overtly change but, behind the scenes, there is one issue that is in the forefront in every election or in times of national emergency and that is racial or ethnic strife.
Trump’s near dictatorial rule has been dependent on purposefully Hitleresque policies, attacking the educated and successful and seeking to unite “lumpenproletariat,” the uneducated and fearful, those who normally have no interest in politics unless violence and hatred are instilled into the mix. This has been the “Trump base,” those left behind by the modern world, the intellectually crippled, the angry but, as stated, mostly the frightened.
To those who profit from pain, the pandemic has been a gift from the gods.
The Pandemic of 2020, assuming there will be others, something most experts agree upon, has unveiled deep flaws in American society. The “land of the free and the home of the brave” now seems to be anything but.
Race war isn’t the only distraction being orchestrated, as events unfolded in a bizarre May 2020 plot against Venezuela.
While the Trump regime in Washington sends armed thugs to kidnap or kill President Maduro in Caracas it also sends the same ilk, slovenly, overweight, uneducated and mentally unstable, as armed thugs to threaten domestic political opponents such as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Conclusion
While Trump and his Deep State backers, billionaires Betsy DeVos, Jeffrey Epstein (now deceased) and Adolf Coors, among so many others, believe social unrest will achieve their dark political goals and that COVID 19 is a “golden opportunity,” their dreams of empire may well come crashing down on them.
Perhaps the ignorant and slovenly can rise up and crush the sad remains of Western culture as it exists in the United States and the dreamed of society of slavery and tyranny can be brought into fruition as outlined in the Necon manifestos of the pre-9/11 era.
On the other hand, the belief held by those who seek to dominate, that all Americans are little more than sheep, may well prove wrong and meet their fate at the end of a rope.
This is certain to happen. The only question is whether it will be this pandemic or the next.
Gordon Duff is a Marine combat veteran of the Vietnam War that has worked on veterans and POW issues for decades and consulted with governments challenged by security issues. He’s a senior editor and chairman of the board of VT, especially for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook.”


veteranstoday--2020-05-11--Intercept: America’s Prisons a CV Crisis for Rural America

The Intercept : FOR THE PAST several decades , rural America ’ s economic lifeline has been the construction and @ @ @ @ @ detention centers , both public and for-profit .
The 1980s saw the collapse of American @ @ @ @ @ that ripped through the countryside .
Mass incarceration was well-timed to fill the gap , @ @ @ @ @ needed .
But those lifelines have transformed into vectors for coronavirus , putting rural communities @ @ @ @ @ For many Americans , the plight of prisoners produces little sympathy .
But in a @ @ @ @ @ Freedom is indivisible , and when one man is enslaved , all are not free @ @ @ @ @ prison walls are not immune from what goes on inside them .
Those jobs that @ @ @ @ @ to local communities are staffed by people who go in and out each day — @ @ @ @ @ them could make all the difference in communities where hospitals were already shutting down , @ @ @ @ @ .

The Intercept: FOR THE PAST several decades, rural America’s economic lifeline has been the construction and operation of prisons and immigrant detention centers, both public and for-profit. The 1980s saw the collapse of American manufacturing and a farm crisis that ripped through the countryside. Mass incarceration was well-timed to fill the gap, producing jobs where they were needed.
But those lifelines have transformed into vectors for coronavirus, putting rural communities at risk of outbreaks. For many Americans, the plight of prisoners produces little sympathy. But in a twist on JFK — “Freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not free” — those outside the prison walls are not immune from what goes on inside them. Those jobs that made the campuses so attractive to local communities are staffed by people who go in and out each day — and what they bring with them could make all the difference in communities where hospitals were already shutting down, a trend exacerbated by Covid-19.
Read Our Complete CoverageThe Coronavirus Crisis


veteranstoday--2020-05-11--Pakistan: Coronavirus, Don’t Create Controversy Over 18th Amendment

While coronavirus pandemic , also known as COVID-19 is rapidly spreading in Pakistan , some political entities are creating obstacles by creating controversy over 18th Amendment .
Regrettably , they are doing politics over this sensitive issue .
In this regard , on April 28 , this year , the leader of the opposition parties , Pakistan Peoples Party ( PPP ) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari , Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz ( PML-N ) president Shahbaz Sharif and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam ( JUI-F ) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman once again warned the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf ( PTI ) government against any move to change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clauses dealing with the National Finance Commission ( NFC ) Award .
They decided to adopt a joint stance in to resist any such a move .
Some other politicians like PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal and PPP stalwart-former Senate chairman Mian Raza Rabbani also criticized the rulers for alleged plan to bring changes in the Amendment .
Earlier , Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi made it clear : “ The government has no intention of revoking the 18th Amendment ; the situation arising out of the coronavirus outbreak requires a thorough review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment vis a vis the provincial autonomy could not be denied…if the provinces ’ practice of looking towards the Centre despite getting enhanced share in national resources…continued…all the stakeholders should sit together to discuss and review the distribution of resources before a new NFC Award…there is no problem between the federal and Sindh governments except the difference of opinion on the issue of lockdown ” .
However , the government has already taking appropriate measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak .
It is notable that Prime Minister Imran Khan on April 23 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ televised live on TV channels , to mobilise funds from the Pakistanis—both at home and abroad to help the deserving persons , especially the poor , affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown .
People made contributions to the “ Ehsaas Programme ” ( Prime Minister Imran Khan ’ s Coronavirus Relief Fund ) .
Earlier , PM Imran also participated in a special programme of a renowned TV channel for this purpose .
In response , Pakistanis donated funds of more than Rs .
4 billion million .
Premier Imran on March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a youth volunteer force labeled as Corona Relief Youth Tiger Force , which will lead the fight against the coronavirus in Pakistan .
He elaborated : “ It will not be politically-Party-based volunteers…It would act as an example for other employees/workforce regarding performing daily duties/work during crisis situations and at the same time practicing all medical precautions as well ” .
Recruitment for corona relief tigers has started .
The government has also been implementing an economic package for daily wagers and the poor to help them in these dire situations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centre ( NCC ) and National Disaster Management Authority ( NDMA ) , consisting of military and civil personnel have been established , which is monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures on a daily basis in relation to the COVID-19 .
The NDMA is leading the operations and coordinating with the provincial and district authorities for the necessary implementation of the preventive and curative actions .
Notably , DG Inter-Services Public Relations ( ISPR ) Maj-Gen. Babar Iftikhar pointed out in a tweet on April 7 , this year : “ Pakistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment including Personal Protective Equipment to Quetta on orders of the Army Chief to help the medical staff effectively fight COVID-19…Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa said—Doctors and paramedics are the frontline soldiers in this war against coronavirus .
Most advanced nations and governments are finding it extremely difficult to fight this pandemic .
Pakistan government is striving hard to acquire and supply the required resources ” .
In this connection , addressing a press conference on March 23 , 2020 , Maj-Gen Babar Iftikhar stated : “ Coronavirus is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its duty and would counter the pandemic with the nation ’ s help ” .
It is worth-mentioning that the Sindh Government has imposed complete lockdown in some cities .
But , Federal Government did not interfere .
Despite it , Sindh ’ s Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and top officials of his government are targeting the anti-coronavirus campaign of the central government .
It is lamentable that opposition parties and some entities are criticizing the prime minister ’ s campaign against the threat of COVID-19 .
In this respect , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Nawaz ( PML-N ) Shahbaz Sharif had favoured complete lockdown in the country to cope with the COVID-19 endemic , while the ruling party was not in support of it , as it could result into unemployment and hunger for the lowest class .
Afterwards , both the leaders changed their statements , asking the government to ease the lockdown which has been conditionally eased on Saturday ( May 9 ) .
They also opposed the Pakistanis ’ contributions to the “ Ehsaas Programme ” , and targeted the Corona Relief Youth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this crucial hour , these parties , including some entities who have politisized the coronavirus outbreak are opposing the PTI-government for the sake of opposition and hostility for the sake of hostility and thus , creating obstacles in the way of the government ’ s efforts to combat this deadly virus .
Such a negative approach is likely to impact NCC and NDMA whose personnel are serving the people at this sensitive hour .
Particularly , it may demoralise country ’ s armed forces , especially Pak Army ’ s efforts regarding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if Shahbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari have political differences with Imran Khan , as to why , they and their parties do not create some charitable organization , also asking the members of their parties to send donations to cope with this deadly virus .
Even , they , themselves , can donate money directly to the poor persons who have been affected by the virus .
Nevertheless , COVID-19 is rapidly taking the lives of people , while affecting new persons .
The opposition parties ’ leaders continue creating controversy over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their deliberate criticism of the government .
It clearly indicates that they are more faithful to their parties , instead of fighting this fatal disease .
In this context , renowned thinker Morgenthau opines that sometimes government has to “ choose between lesser evil and greater evil when there is no third option ” .
Now , COVID-19 has become a matter of life and death for the people , so , even if 18th Amendment is reviewed , it should not be opposed , as extra-ordinary situation has arisen .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not made for the constitution .
It is noteworthy that 18th Amendment in the Constitution of Pakistan was carried out to allow more provincial autonomy to the provinces , give them bigger share in the finances and facilitate law making , thus improving governance .
Spirit of the amendment was appreciable ; however , the execution seems problematic .
Post COVID-19 emergence situation has laid bare national fault lines in governance and financial fields necessitating genuine discussion requirement .
COVID-19 has tested the governance and systems around the world Best democratic systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have failed to deliver effective response due to lack of cohesion with states and local government , while centralized system like that of China has proved extremely effective in policy execution and implementation .
So , lack of coordination between Federal Government and the provincial Government in Sindh has been noticed with concern by sincere citizens .
Discussions on food supply chain , law and order , provision/availability of Personal Protective Equipment ( PPEs ) and essential medical equipment , provision of financial and food aid to the poor and needy have worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on whether to impose or not to impose the lockdown and when to soften or lift it have also muddied the otherwise murkier waters .
This gap has also sent ill signals about national response to a collective challenge .
Therefore , irrespective of the opposition ’ s thinking about 18th Amendment , all political and governance actors do understand that there are identified gaps in the 7th NFC award , allowing 57 % of financial share to the provinces .
Response capacity and performance of the Sindh Government reflected a huge gap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ management through media tricks .
Recently , the PTI government has reconstituted the commission for the 9th NFC Award , the discussion has surfaced over rebalancing the resources among the four provinces The Federal Government is performing large number of functions which are otherwise the responsibility of the Provincial Governments .
This includes matters relating to Public health , drugs , dams , education , public projects in provinces , labour , environment , locusts and many other trans- provincial activities which are obligations of the provinces , but have to be performed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost a huge sum .
Likewise , the Constitution though requires financing and functioning of Local Governments , yet they have no funds available directly .
The NFC Award should reflect these important aspects .
The federation and the provinces need to agree to a balanced approach to find a solution .
The provincial share in the NFC Award can be equitably divided into three portions specified as Provincial Government share , Local Government share and Federal Government , including share for the works done on behalf of the provinces .
The NFC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues through mutual agreement .
There is also a requirement for check and balance as how centre and the provinces use their share not allowing free lunches to either .
Aspect can better be addressed through transparency and enacting necessary regulations .
Nonetheless , taking cognizance of rapidly spread of coronavirus , the leaders of opposition parties are suggested that instead of doing politics over this sensitive issue , they must not create controversy over 18th Amendment .
War against this deadly virus demands selfless national unity which must be shown practically by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ segment of society , while displaying solidarity with the armed forces .
Such a selfless unity will help in implementing the civil-military comprehensive plan to contain this virus and ultimately to eliminate it .
Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book : US vs Islamic Militants , Invisible Balance of Power : Dangerous Shift in International Relations

By Sajjad Shaukat for VT
While coronavirus pandemic, also known as COVID-19 is rapidly spreading in Pakistan, some political entities are creating obstacles by creating controversy over 18th Amendment. Regrettably, they are doing politics over this sensitive issue.
In this regard, on April 28, this year, the leader of the opposition parties, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shahbaz Sharif and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman once again warned the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government against any move to change the 18th Amendment in the Constitution or the clauses dealing with the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. They decided to adopt a joint stance in to resist any such a move. Some other politicians like PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal and PPP stalwart-former Senate chairman Mian Raza Rabbani also criticized the rulers for alleged plan to bring changes in the Amendment.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi made it clear: “The government has no intention of revoking the 18th Amendment; the situation arising out of the coronavirus outbreak requires a thorough review of the constitutional amendment…the importance of 18th Amendment vis a vis the provincial autonomy could not be denied…if the provinces’ practice of looking towards the Centre despite getting enhanced share in national resources…continued…all the stakeholders should sit together to discuss and review the distribution of resources before a new NFC Award…there is no problem between the federal and Sindh governments except the difference of opinion on the issue of lockdown”.
However, the government has already taking appropriate measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
It is notable that Prime Minister Imran Khan on April 23, this year led a long telethon, televised live on TV channels, to mobilise funds from the Pakistanis—both at home and abroad to help the deserving persons, especially the poor, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. People made contributions to the “Ehsaas Programme” (Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Coronavirus Relief Fund). Earlier, PM Imran also participated in a special programme of a renowned TV channel for this purpose. In response, Pakistanis donated funds of more than Rs. 4 billion million.
Premier Imran on March 27, this year announced the launch of a youth volunteer force labeled as Corona Relief Youth Tiger Force, which will lead the fight against the coronavirus in Pakistan. He elaborated: “It will not be politically-Party-based volunteers…It would act as an example for other employees/workforce regarding performing daily duties/work during crisis situations and at the same time practicing all medical precautions as well”. Recruitment for corona relief tigers has started. The government has also been implementing an economic package for daily wagers and the poor to help them in these dire situations.
It is mentionable that the National Command Centre (NCC) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), consisting of military and civil personnel have been established, which is monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures on a daily basis in relation to the COVID-19. The NDMA is leading the operations and coordinating with the provincial and district authorities for the necessary implementation of the preventive and curative actions.
Notably, DG Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj-Gen. Babar Iftikhar pointed out in a tweet on April 7, this year: “Pakistan Army is dispatching emergency supplies of medical equipment including Personal Protective Equipment to Quetta on orders of the Army Chief to help the medical staff effectively fight COVID-19…Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa said—Doctors and paramedics are the frontline soldiers in this war against coronavirus. Most advanced nations and governments are finding it extremely difficult to fight this pandemic. Pakistan government is striving hard to acquire and supply the required resources”.
In this connection, addressing a press conference on March 23, 2020, Maj-Gen Babar Iftikhar stated: “Coronavirus is a danger…but the Pakistan Army is fully aware of its duty and would counter the pandemic with the nation’s help”.
It is worth-mentioning that the Sindh Government has imposed complete lockdown in some cities. But, Federal Government did not interfere. Despite it, Sindh’s Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and top officials of his government are targeting the anti-coronavirus campaign of the central government.
It is lamentable that opposition parties and some entities are criticizing the prime minister’s campaign against the threat of COVID-19.
In this respect, Chairman of PPP Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and leader of Nawaz (PML-N) Shahbaz Sharif had favoured complete lockdown in the country to cope with the COVID-19 endemic, while the ruling party was not in support of it, as it could result into unemployment and hunger for the lowest class. Afterwards, both the leaders changed their statements, asking the government to ease the lockdown which has been conditionally eased on Saturday (May 9). They also opposed the Pakistanis’ contributions to the “Ehsaas Programme”, and targeted the Corona Relief Youth Tiger Force. In fact, at this crucial hour, these parties, including some entities who have politisized the coronavirus outbreak are opposing the PTI-government for the sake of opposition and hostility for the sake of hostility and thus, creating obstacles in the way of the government’s efforts to combat this deadly virus.
Such a negative approach is likely to impact NCC and NDMA whose personnel are serving the people at this sensitive hour. Particularly, it may demoralise country’s armed forces, especially Pak Army’s efforts regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here, question arises, if Shahbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari have political differences with Imran Khan, as to why, they and their parties do not create some charitable organization, also asking the members of their parties to send donations to cope with this deadly virus. Even, they, themselves, can donate money directly to the poor persons who have been affected by the virus.
Nevertheless, COVID-19 is rapidly taking the lives of people, while affecting new persons. The opposition parties’ leaders continue creating controversy over 18th Amendment—a new NFC Award as part of their deliberate criticism of the government. It clearly indicates that they are more faithful to their parties, instead of fighting this fatal disease.
In this context, renowned thinker Morgenthau opines that sometimes government has to “choose between lesser evil and greater evil when there is no third option”.
Now, COVID-19 has become a matter of life and death for the people, so, even if 18th Amendment is reviewed, it should not be opposed, as extra-ordinary situation has arisen. And constitution is made for people and people are not made for the constitution.
It is noteworthy that 18th Amendment in the Constitution of Pakistan was carried out to allow more provincial autonomy to the provinces, give them bigger share in the finances and facilitate law making, thus improving governance. Spirit of the amendment was appreciable; however, the execution seems problematic. Post COVID-19 emergence situation has laid bare national fault lines in governance and financial fields necessitating genuine discussion requirement. COVID-19 has tested the governance and systems around the world Best democratic systems like that of the US and UK have failed to deliver effective response due to lack of cohesion with states and local government, while centralized system like that of China has proved extremely effective in policy execution and implementation.
So, lack of coordination between Federal Government and the provincial Government in Sindh has been noticed with concern by sincere citizens. Discussions on food supply chain, law and order, provision/availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and essential medical equipment, provision of financial and food aid to the poor and needy have worried citizens. The discussions and media war on whether to impose or not to impose the lockdown and when to soften or lift it have also muddied the otherwise murkier waters. This gap has also sent ill signals about national response to a collective challenge.
Therefore, irrespective of the opposition’s thinking about 18th Amendment, all political and governance actors do understand that there are identified gaps in the 7th NFC award, allowing 57% of financial share to the provinces. Response capacity and performance of the Sindh Government reflected a huge gap, while focusing mainly on the perception management through media tricks.
Recently, the PTI government has reconstituted the commission for the 9th NFC Award, the discussion has surfaced over rebalancing the resources among the four provinces The Federal Government is performing large number of functions which are otherwise the responsibility of the Provincial Governments. This includes matters relating to Public health, drugs, dams, education, public projects in provinces, labour, environment, locusts and many other trans- provincial activities which are obligations of the provinces, but have to be performed by Federal Government. All these activities cost a huge sum. Likewise, the Constitution though requires financing and functioning of Local Governments, yet they have no funds available directly. The NFC Award should reflect these important aspects.
The federation and the provinces need to agree to a balanced approach to find a solution. The provincial share in the NFC Award can be equitably divided into three portions specified as Provincial Government share, Local Government share and Federal Government, including share for the works done on behalf of the provinces. The NFC award should needs to address the all-important issues through mutual agreement. There is also a requirement for check and balance as how centre and the provinces use their share not allowing free lunches to either. Aspect can better be addressed through transparency and enacting necessary regulations.
Nonetheless, taking cognizance of rapidly spread of coronavirus, the leaders of opposition parties are suggested that instead of doing politics over this sensitive issue, they must not create controversy over 18th Amendment. War against this deadly virus demands selfless national unity which must be shown practically by all the political parties, including every segment of society, while displaying solidarity with the armed forces. Such a selfless unity will help in implementing the civil-military comprehensive plan to contain this virus and ultimately to eliminate it.
Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations
Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com


veteranstoday--2020-05-12--Is Jew an Ethnicity, Race or Nationality?

Today , I watched a super interesting fantastic fun video by Big Bang Theory Hollywood star Mayim Bialik where she takes the DNA test and discovers her origins ( Mayim Bialik : My DNA Results REVEALED !
Sponsored by 23andMe ) In the video , she reveals she ’ s 99.7 % Ashkenazi Jewish among some Irish , English , and broadly Europan ancestry .
She correctly acknowledges that we can track our origins through mitochondrial DNA , which , in her case , reveals she ’ s actually , on the female side , from Souther Europe between 10,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim that 23andMe says she is 99.7 % Jewish because the first reference to Judaism comes from 1830.B.C…but more on that later .
What really got me as I was watching the video was the following questions ; • Why is 23andMe along with Ancestry.com telling people they are of the Jewish religion as an origin but NOT using Christianity or Islam as a standard as well ?
• Why is being Jewish given a special standard even when there is NO evidence that DNA has coded instructions for religion ?
• Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her DNA is 99.7 % Jewish when Judaism is a religion with the same twists and turns as so many religions and philosophies before and after its creation ?
But what is NOT questioned is that religion is NOT in the genes !
No religion or philosophy is in our genes !
That is just plain science fact !
Being an educated Ph.D. scholar herself from UCLA with degrees in neuroscience , Jewish studies and Hebrew , I assume Dr. Mayim knows this scientific fact .
However , it does NOT take away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enthusiasm to share with her fans .
It ’ s just that this is getting ridiculous .
We need to get this right !
Now , with great respect , Dr. Mayim Bialik is super proud of being Jewish .
And this author extends his full respect to her and all those that engage in the very human endeavor of faith whether organized or not .
But again , being Jewish is simply NOT a race or ethnicity .
No religion is…that ’ s like saying to me that I am 99.7 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % Christian or Kevin Barrett he ’ s 99.7 % Muslim !
This is just silly !
Oh wait , on the Trump Christian thing , I meant 99.7 % Machevellian Predator with a few DNA pieces going to the tribe of Sociopath .
LOL !
So yeah , scratch the “ Christian ” thing… In fact , that ’ s an analysis is for another day .
But you get my point !
Now , granted , Trump , the self-proclaimed smartest man in the world , signed a political order saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Trump signs an order and provokes an identity crisis . )
But again , who cares what Doctor Drink and Inject Disinfectant to Cure COVID-19 says about anything .
He ’ s a plain old political opportunist with a long portfolio of real evidence to make him King of the Fools who believe everything the pure profiteering opportunist says .
So , for science ’ s sake , Silly Trump ’ s asinine opinion does NOT even make the “ under consideration ” file !
Nevertheless , let ’ s get serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no racism and bigotry okay !
We don ’ t have patience or time for such silly disrespectful nonsense .
Now , let ’ s go… Ashkenazi Jews , also known as Ashkenazic Jews or , by using the Hebrew plural suffix -im , Ashkenazim are a Jewish diaspora population who coalesced in the Holy Roman Empire around the end of the first millennium .
The traditional diaspora language of Ashkenazi Jews is Yiddish ( a Germanic language with elements of Hebrew , Aramaic , and Slavic languages ) , developed after they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Germany and France in the Middle Ages .
For centuries they used Hebrew only as a sacred language , until the revival of Hebrew as a common language in Israel .
Throughout their time in Europe , Ashkenazim have made many important contributions to its philosophy , scholarship , literature , art , music , and science .
The term “ Ashkenazi ” refers to Jewish settlers who established communities along the Rhine River in Western Germany and in Northern France dating to the Middle Ages .
Once there , they adapted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Land , and the Western Mediterranean to their new environment .
The Ashkenazi religious rite developed in cities such as Mainz , Worms , and Troyes .
The eminent French Rishon Rabbi Shlomo Itzhaki ( Rashi ) would have a significant influence on the Jewish religion .
In the late Middle Ages , due to religious persecution , the majority of the Ashkenazi population shifted steadily eastward , moving out of the Holy Roman Empire into the areas later part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth , comprising parts of present-day Belarus , Estonia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Russia , Slovakia and Ukraine .
In the course of the late 18th and 19th centuries , those Jews who remained in or returned to the German lands generated a cultural reorientation ; under the influence of the Haskalah and the struggle for emancipation , as well as the intellectual and cultural ferment in urban centers , they gradually abandoned the use of Yiddish and adopted German , while developing new forms of Jewish religious life and cultural identity .
The Holocaust of the Second World War decimated the Ashkenazim , affecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimated that in the 11th century Ashkenazi Jews composed three percent of the world ’ s total Jewish population , while an estimate made in 1930 ( near the population ’ s peak ) had them as 92 percent of the world ’ s Jews .
Immediately prior to the Holocaust , the number of Jews in the world stood at approximately 16.7 million .
Statistical figures vary for the contemporary demography of Ashkenazi Jews , ranging from 10 million to 11.2 million .
Sergio Della Pergola , in a rough calculation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ashkenazi Jews make up 65–70 % of Jews worldwide .
Other estimates place Ashkenazi Jews as making up about 75 % of Jews worldwide .
Science Tells Us It ’ s In the Genes Genetic studies on Ashkenazim—researching both their paternal and maternal lineages , as well as autosomal DNA—point to a predominantly Levantine ancestry with varying degrees of Southern European admixture .
These studies have arrived at diverging conclusions regarding both the degree and the sources of their European admixture , with some focusing on the extent of the Southern European genetic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is in contrast to the predominantly Middle Eastern genetic origin observed in Ashkenazi paternal lineages .
Efforts to identify the origins of Ashkenazi Jews through DNA analysis began in the 1990s .
Currently , there are three types of genetic origin testing ; Autosomal DNA is a mixture from an individual ’ s entire ancestry , Y-DNA shows a male ’ s lineage only along his strict paternal line , mtDNA shows any person ’ s lineage only along the strict maternal line .
Genome-wide association studies have also been employed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Like most DNA studies of human migration patterns , the earliest studies on Ashkenazi Jews focused on the Y-DNA and mtDNA segments of the human genome .
Both segments are unaffected by recombination ( except for the ends of the Y chromosome – the pseudoautosomal regions are known as PAR1 and PAR2 ) , thus allowing tracing of direct maternal and paternal lineages .
These studies revealed that Ashkenazi Jews originate from an ancient ( 2000 BCE – 700 BCE ) population of the Middle East who had spread to Europe .
Ashkenazic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottleneck , meaning they descend from a larger population whose numbers were greatly reduced but recovered through a few founding individuals .
Although the Jewish people , in general , were present across a wide geographical area as described , genetic research done by Gil Atzmon of the Longevity Genes Project at Albert Einstein College of Medicine suggests “ that Ashkenazim branched off from other Jews around the time of the destruction of the First Temple , 2,500 years ago … flourished during the Roman Empire but then went through a ‘ severe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a population of several million to just 400 families who left Northern Italy around the year 1000 for Central and eventually Eastern Europe.
” Various studies have arrived at diverging conclusions regarding both the degree and the sources of the non-Levantine admixture in Ashkenazim , particularly with respect to the extent of the non-Levantine genetic origin observed in Ashkenazi maternal lineages , which is in contrast to the predominant Levantine genetic origin observed in Ashkenazi paternal lineages .
All studies nevertheless agree that genetic overlap with the Fertile Crescent exists in both lineages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ashkenazi Jews are less genetically diverse than other Jewish ethnic divisions , due to their genetic bottleneck .
The majority of genetic findings to date concerning Ashkenazi Jews conclude that the male lines were founded by ancestors from the Middle East .
A study of haplotypes of the Y-chromosome , published in 2000 , addressed the paternal origins of Ashkenazi Jews .
Hammer et al .
found that the Y-chromosome of Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews contained mutations that are also common among other Middle Eastern peoples , but uncommon in the autochthonous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ male ancestors of the Ashkenazi Jews could be traced mostly to the Middle East .
The proportion of male genetic admixture in Ashkenazi Jews amounts to less than 0.5 % per generation over an estimated 80 generations , with “ relatively minor contribution of European Y chromosomes to the Ashkenazim , ” and a total admixture estimate “ very similar to Motulsky ’ s average estimate of 12.5 % .
” This supported the finding that “ Diaspora Jews from Europe , Northwest Africa , and the Near East resemble each other more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ Past research found that 50–80 percent of DNA from the Ashkenazi Y chromosome , which is used to trace the male lineage , originated in the Near East , ” Richards said .
The population has subsequently spread out .
A 2001 study by Nebel et al .
showed that both Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish populations share the same overall paternal Near Eastern ancestries .
In comparison with data available from other relevant populations in the region , Jews were found to be more closely related to groups in the north @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also report on Eu 19 ( R1a ) chromosomes , which are very frequent in Central and Eastern Europeans ( 54–60 % ) at an elevated frequency ( 13 % ) in Ashkenazi Jews .
They hypothesized that the differences among Ashkenazim Jews could reflect low-level gene flow from surrounding European populations or genetic drift during isolation .
A later 2005 study by Nebel et al.
, found a similar level of 11.5 % of male Ashkenazim belonging to R1a1a ( M17+ ) , the dominant Y-chromosome haplogroup in Central and Eastern Europeans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concentrating on the Ashkenazi Levites where the proportion reaches 50 % while signaling that there ’ s a “ rich variation of haplogroup R1a outside of Europe which is phylogenetically separate from the typically European R1a branches ” , precises that the particular R1a-Y2619 sub-clade testifies for a local origin , and that the “ Middle Eastern origin of the Ashkenazi Levite lineage based on what was previously a relatively limited number of reported samples , can now be considered firmly validated.
” Before 2006 , geneticists had largely attributed the ethnogenesis of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ populations , including Ashkenazi Jews , to Israelite Jewish male migrants from the Middle East and “ the women from each local population whom they took as wives and converted to Judaism.
” Thus , in 2002 , in line with this model of origin , David Goldstein , now of Duke University , reported that unlike male Ashkenazi lineages , the female lineages in Ashkenazi Jewish communities “ did not seem to be Middle Eastern ” , and that each community had its own genetic pattern and even that “ in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to that of the host community.
” In his view , this suggested ; “ that Jewish men had arrived from the Middle East , taken wives from the host population and converted them to Judaism , after which there was no further intermarriage with non-Jews.
” In 2006 , a study by Behar et al.
, based on what was at that time high-resolution analysis of haplogroup K ( mtDNA ) , suggested that about 40 % of the current Ashkenazi population is descended matrilineally from just four women , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ likely from a Hebrew/Levantine mtDNA pool ” originating in the Middle East in the 1st and 2nd centuries CE .
Additionally , Behar et al .
suggested that the rest of Ashkenazi mtDNA is originated from ~150 women and that most of those were also likely of Middle Eastern origin .
In reference specifically to Haplogroup K , they suggested that although it is common throughout western Eurasia , “ the observed global pattern of distribution renders very unlikely the possibility that the four aforementioned founder lineages entered the Ashkenazi mtDNA pool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population ” .
In 2013 , a study of Ashkenazi mitochondrial DNA by a team led by Martin B. Richards of the University of Huddersfield in England reached different conclusions , in line with the pre-2006 origin hypothesis .
Testing was performed on the full 16,600 DNA units composing mitochondrial DNA ( the 2006 Behar study had only tested 1,000 units ) in all their subjects , and the study found that the four main female Ashkenazi founders had descent lines that were established in Europe 10,000 to 20,000 years in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also have a deep European ancestry .
The study argued that the great majority of Ashkenazi maternal lineages were not brought from the Near East or the Caucasus , but instead assimilated within Europe , primarily of Italian and Old French origins .
The Richards study estimated that more than 80 percent of Ashkenazi maternal ancestry comes from women indigenous to Europe , and only 8 percent from the Near East , while the origin of the remainder is undetermined .
According to the study these findings “ point to a significant role @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formation of Ashkenazi communities.
” Karl Skorecki criticized the study for perceived flaws in phylogenetic analysis .
“ While Costa et al have re-opened the question of the maternal origins of Ashkenazi Jewry , the phylogenetic analysis in the manuscript does not ‘ settle ’ the question.
” A 2014 study by Fernández et al .
found that Ashkenazi Jews display a frequency of haplogroup K in their maternal DNA , suggesting an ancient Near Eastern matrilineal origin , similar to the results of the Behar study in 2006 .
Fernández noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2013 study led by Richards that suggested a European source for 3 exclusively Ashkenazi K lineages .
In genetic epidemiology , a genome-wide association study ( GWA study , or GWAS ) is an examination of all or most of the genes ( the genome ) of different individuals of a particular species to see how much the genes vary from individual to individual .
These techniques were originally designed for epidemiological uses , to identify genetic associations with observable traits .
A 2006 study by Seldin et al .
used over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European genetic substructure .
The results showed “ a consistent and reproducible distinction between ‘ northern ’ and ‘ southern ’ European population groups ” .
Most northern , central , and eastern Europeans ( Finns , Swedes , English , Irish , Germans , and Ukrainians ) showed > 90 % in the “ northern ” population group , while most individual participants with southern European ancestry ( Italians , Greeks , Portuguese , Spaniards ) showed > 85 % in the “ southern ” group .
Both Ashkenazi Jews , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 85 % membership in the “ southern ” group .
Referring to the Jews ’ clustering with southern Europeans , the authors state the results were “ consistent with a later Mediterranean origin of these ethnic groups ” .
A 2007 study by Bauchet et al .
found that Ashkenazi Jews were most closely clustered with Arabic North African populations when compared to the global population , and in the European structure analysis , they share similarities only with Greeks and Southern Italians , reflecting their east Mediterranean origins .
A 2010 study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
stated “ Two major groups were identified by principal component , phylogenetic , and identity by descent ( IBD ) analysis : Middle Eastern Jews and European/Syrian Jews .
The IBD segment sharing and the proximity of European Jews to each other and to southern European populations suggested similar origins for European Jewry and refuted large-scale genetic contributions of Central and Eastern European and Slavic populations to the formation of Ashkenazi Jewry ” , as both groups – the Middle Eastern Jews and European/Syrian Jews – shared common ancestors in the Middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study examines genetic markers spread across the entire genome and shows that the Jewish groups ( Ashkenazi and non-Ashkenazi ) share large swaths of DNA , indicating close relationships and that each of the Jewish groups in the study ( Iranian , Iraqi , Syrian , Italian , Turkish , Greek and Ashkenazi ) has its own genetic signature but is more closely related to the other Jewish groups than to their fellow non-Jewish countrymen .
Atzmon ’ s team found that the SNP markers in genetic segments of 3 million DNA letters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be identical among Jews than non-Jews .
Results of the analysis also tally with biblical accounts of the fate of the Jews .
The study also found that with respect to non-Jewish European groups , the population most closely related to Ashkenazi Jews are modern-day Italians .
The study speculated that the genetic-similarity between Ashkenazi Jews and Italians may be due to inter-marriage and conversions in the time of the Roman Empire .
It was also found that any two Ashkenazi Jewish participants in the study shared about as much DNA as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study by Bray et al.
, using SNP microarray techniques and linkage analysis found that when assuming Druze and Palestinian Arab populations to represent the reference to world Jewry ancestor genome , between 35 and 55 percent of the modern Ashkenazi genome can possibly be of European origin , and that European “ admixture is considerably higher than previous estimates by studies that used the Y chromosome ” with this reference point .
Assuming this reference point the linkage disequilibrium in the Ashkenazi Jewish population was interpreted as “ matches signs of interbreeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and European populations ” .
On the Bray et al .
tree , Ashkenazi Jews were found to be a genetically more divergent population than Russians , Orcadians , French , Basques , Sardinians , Italians and Tuscans .
The study also observed that Ashkenazim are more diverse than their Middle Eastern relatives , which was counterintuitive because Ashkenazim are supposed to be a subset , not a superset , of their assumed geographical source population .
Bray et al .
therefore postulate that these results reflect not the population antiquity but a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Europe .
However , it is possible that the relaxation of marriage prescription in the ancestors of Ashkenazim drove their heterozygosity up , while the maintenance of the FBD rule in native Middle Easterners has been keeping their heterozygosity values in check .
Ashkenazim distinctiveness as found in the Bray et al .
study , therefore , may come from their ethnic endogamy ( ethnic inbreeding ) , which allowed them to “ mine ” their ancestral gene pool in the context of relative reproductive isolation from European neighbors , and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Consequently , their higher diversity compared to Middle Easterners stems from the latter ’ s marriage practices , not necessarily from the former ’ s admixture with Europeans .
The genome-wide genetic study carried out in 2010 by Behar et al .
examined the genetic relationships among all major Jewish groups , including Ashkenazim , as well as the genetic relationship between these Jewish groups and non-Jewish ethnic populations .
The study found that contemporary Jews ( excluding Indian and Ethiopian Jews ) have a close genetic relationship with people from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most parsimonious explanation for these observations is a common genetic origin , which is consistent with a historical formulation of the Jewish people as descending from ancient Hebrew and Israelite residents of the Levant ” .
A study by Behar et al .
( 2013 ) found evidence in Ashkenazim of mixed European and Levantine origins .
The authors found the greatest affinity and shared ancestry of Ashkenazi Jews to be first with other Jewish groups from southern Europe , Syria , and North Africa , and secondly with both southern Europeans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Levantines ( such as the Druze , Cypriots , Lebanese and Samaritans ) .
In addition to finding no affinity in Ashkenazim with northern Caucasus populations , the authors found no more affinity in Ashkenazi Jews to modern south Caucasus and eastern Anatolian populations ( such as Armenians , Azeris , Georgians , and Turks ) than found in non-Ashkenazi Jews or non-Jewish Middle Easterners ( such as the Kurds , Iranians , Druze and Lebanese ) .
A 2017 autosomal study by Xue , Shai Carmi et al .
found an approximately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ashkenazi Jews : with the European component being largely Southern European with a minority being Eastern European , and the Middle Eastern ancestry showing the strongest affinity to Levantine populations such as the Druze and Lebanese .
Main article : Preston James PhD – The Hidden History of the Incredibly Evil Khazarian Mafia In the late 19th century , it was proposed that the core of today ’ s Ashkenazi Jewry are genetically descended from a hypothetical Khazarian Jewish diaspora who had migrated westward from modern Russia and Ukraine into modern France @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently held theory that Jews migrated from France and Germany into Eastern Europe ) .
The hypothesis is not corroborated by historical sources and is unsubstantiated by genetics , but it is still occasionally supported by scholars who have had some success in keeping the theory in the academic consciousness .
[ 178 ] The theory has sometimes been used by Jewish authors such as Arthur Koestler as part of an argument against traditional forms of antisemitism ( for example the claim that “ the Jews killed Christ ” ) , just as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Crimean Karaites .
Today , however , the theory is more often associated with antisemitism [ 179 ] and anti-Zionism .
A 2013 trans-genome study carried out by 30 geneticists , from 13 universities and academies , from 9 countries , assembling the largest data set available to date , for assessment of Ashkenazi Jewish genetic origins found no evidence of Khazar origin among Ashkenazi Jews .
“ Thus , analysis of Ashkenazi Jews together with a large sample from the region of the Khazar Khaganate corroborates the earlier results that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ populations of the Middle East and Europe , that they possess considerable shared ancestry with other Jewish populations , and that there is no indication of a significant genetic contribution either from within or from north of the Caucasus region ” , the authors concluded .
The authors found no affinity in Ashkenazim with North Caucasus populations , as well as no greater affinity in Ashkenazim to the south Caucasus or Anatolian populations than that found in non-Ashkenazi Jews and non-Jewish Middle Easterners ( such as the Kurds , Iranians , Druze , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shared ancestry of Ashkenazi Jews were found to be ( after those with other Jewish groups from southern Europe , Syria , and North Africa ) with both southern Europeans and Levantines such as Druze , Cypriot , Lebanese and Samaritan groups .
Clearly , the DNA tells us that Ashkenazi Jews descend on the female side from Southern Europe about 10,000 to 20,000 B.C .
and this causes a dilemma for DNA companies who are telling good people like Mayim Bialik that their origins are religious .
Jewish history begins with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around 1812 BC ( over 3,800 years ago ) , during the Bronze Age , in the Middle East .
The Torah ( Jewish Law ) , the primary document of Judaism , was said to be given to the Jews by the Prophet Moses ( Moshe ) about 3,300 years ago .
And that ’ s that !
Mayim ’ s female ancestor who lived in Southern Europe around 20,000 B.C .
was NOT Jewish .
Based on what we know , the best we can say is that her ancestor was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bred with Neanderthals around 45,000-50,000 B.C .
giving her trace evidence of Neanderthal DNA .
Her ancestor was probably Pagan .
We have NO evidence of religion from peoples during the time .
We just don ’ t really know what they believed .
But that does NOT matter…..because religion is NOT a race or ethnicity .
It can not be found in our genes .
We simply can not deduce one ’ s religion scientifically .
Most likely , we can say that Mayim ’ s ancestors were Pagan , Jews , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zillion reasons , people changed their religions over the centuries .
So technically speaking , Mayim ’ s DNA , comes from both the Middle East and Souther Europe well before Judaism appeared on the scene .
So this weird analysis by 23andMe.com and others like Ancestry.com who tell users they are descended from Ashkenazi Jew is , at best silly .
At worst , it could be some broader plan to normalize this specific religion as a race to further some political agenda .
While there is lots of speculation on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is NO direct evidence that these DNA companies are under “ orders ” from a higher source to sell this scientifically silly idea .
But what is NOT under dispute is that religions are NOT ethnicities no matter how many try to say are !
Religion and faith have ZERO to do with genes .
We can actually take a baby from a Jewish family and place him halfway around the world into a Muslim country with a Muslim family and he will NOT magically turn Jewish due to his genes .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 99.7 % chance of being raised Muslim .
That ’ s just the way it is… In other words , we can not have a predisposition to be a Jew , Christian or Muslim no matter how hard the sellers of these religions wish it to be… why ?
Because , as famed Astrophysicist Neil De Grasse Tyson says “ The good thing about science is that it ’ s true whether or not you believe in it.
” .
Hey girl , full respect to being proud of your Jewish heritage .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ DNA has NO Jewish instructions .
No DNA has religious instructions !
In fact , DNA is made of chemical building blocks called nucleotides .
These building blocks are made of three parts : a phosphate group , a sugar group and one of four types of nitrogen bases .
To form a strand of DNA , nucleotides are linked into chains , with the phosphate and sugar groups alternating .
The four types of nitrogen bases found in nucleotides are adenine ( A ) , thymine ( T ) , guanine ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The order , or sequence , of these bases , determines what biological instructions are contained in a strand of DNA .
For example , the sequence ATCGTT might instruct for blue eyes , while ATCGCT might instruct for brown .
The complete DNA instruction book , or genome , for a human , contains about 3 billion bases and about 20,000 genes on 23 pairs of chromosomes ; none of which are Jewish !
So this author says to everyone be proud of your origins .
It ’ s fun to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It gives us a center , a purpose .
Let ’ s just be honest about it because we really need to raise up our awareness so we , as modern 21st-century human beings living together in a new globally connected world , can live well , at peace , and in harmony as one .
In fact , here ’ s some truth we can all connect to… .
ALL OF US are HomoSapiens ( Modern Humans ) and all of us come Out of Africa… science fact !
So thank you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her fun video giving me the inspiration to explore our collective human experience together .
And three cheers to science for shedding light on the reality we are all human beings of the exact same species , out of Africa and into the whole world… as brothers true !

by Johnny Punish
Today, I watched a super interesting fantastic fun video by Big Bang Theory Hollywood star Mayim Bialik where she takes the DNA test and discovers her origins (Mayim Bialik: My DNA Results REVEALED! Sponsored by 23andMe)
In the video, she reveals she’s 99.7% Ashkenazi Jewish among some Irish, English, and broadly Europan ancestry.
She correctly acknowledges that we can track our origins through mitochondrial DNA, which, in her case, reveals she’s actually, on the female side, from Southern Europe between 10,000 and 20,000 B.C. which questions the claim that 23andMe says she is 99.7% Jewish because the first reference to Judaism comes from 1830.B.C…but more on that later.
What really got me as I was watching the video was the following questions;
Isn’t Judaism a religion?
Why is 23andMe along with Ancestry.com telling people they are of the Jewish religion as an origin but NOT using Christianity or Islam as a standard as well?
Why is being Jewish given a special standard even when there is NO evidence that DNA has coded instructions for religion?
Why is this well-educated sharp lady being told her DNA is 99.7% Jewish when Judaism is a religion with the same twists and turns as so many religions and philosophies before and after its creation?
Lots of questions!
But what is NOT questioned is that religion is NOT in the genes! No religion or philosophy is in our genes! That is just plain science fact! Being an educated Ph.D. scholar herself from UCLA with degrees in neuroscience, Jewish studies and Hebrew, I assume Dr. Mayim knows this scientific fact. However, it does NOT take away the fun of her video or her enthusiasm to share with her fans. It’s just that this is getting ridiculous. We need to get this right!
Now, with great respect, Dr. Mayim Bialik is super proud of being Jewish. And this author extends his full respect to her and all those that engage in the very human endeavor of faith whether organized or not. But again, being Jewish is simply NOT a race or ethnicity. No religion is…that’s like saying to me that I am 99.7% Pagan or telling Trump he is 99.7% Christian or Kevin Barrett he’s 99.7% Muslim! This is just silly!
Oh wait, on the Trump Christian thing, I meant 99.7% Machevellian Predator with a few DNA pieces going to the tribe of Sociopath. LOL! So yeah, scratch the “Christian” thing… In fact, that’s an analysis is for another day. But you get my point!
Now, granted, Trump, the self-proclaimed smartest man in the world, signed a political order saying Jews are a race. (WAPO: Trump signs an order and provokes an identity crisis.)
But again, who cares what Doctor Drink and Inject Disinfectant to Cure COVID-19 says about anything. He’s a plain old political opportunist with a long portfolio of real evidence to make him King of the Fools who believe everything the pure profiteering opportunist says. So, for science’s sake, Silly Trump’s asinine opinion does NOT even make the “under consideration” file!
Nevertheless, let’s get serious about this…
Oh and please readers, no racism and bigotry okay! We don’t have patience or time for such silly disrespectful nonsense. Now, let’s go…
Mayim Bialik, Ashkenazi Jew?
Let’s examine…
Ashkenazi Jews, also known as Ashkenazic Jews or, by using the Hebrew plural suffix -im, Ashkenazim are a Jewish diaspora population who coalesced in the Holy Roman Empire around the end of the first millennium.
The traditional diaspora language of Ashkenazi Jews is Yiddish (a Germanic language with elements of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Slavic languages), developed after they had moved into northern Europe: beginning with Germany and France in the Middle Ages.
For centuries they used Hebrew only as a sacred language, until the revival of Hebrew as a common language in Israel. Throughout their time in Europe, Ashkenazim have made many important contributions to its philosophy, scholarship, literature, art, music, and science.
The term “Ashkenazi” refers to Jewish settlers who established communities along the Rhine River in Western Germany and in Northern France dating to the Middle Ages. Once there, they adapted traditions carried from Babylon, the Holy Land, and the Western Mediterranean to their new environment. The Ashkenazi religious rite developed in cities such as Mainz, Worms, and Troyes. The eminent French Rishon Rabbi Shlomo Itzhaki (Rashi) would have a significant influence on the Jewish religion.
In the late Middle Ages, due to religious persecution, the majority of the Ashkenazi population shifted steadily eastward, moving out of the Holy Roman Empire into the areas later part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, comprising parts of present-day Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine.
In the course of the late 18th and 19th centuries, those Jews who remained in or returned to the German lands generated a cultural reorientation; under the influence of the Haskalah and the struggle for emancipation, as well as the intellectual and cultural ferment in urban centers, they gradually abandoned the use of Yiddish and adopted German, while developing new forms of Jewish religious life and cultural identity.
The Holocaust of the Second World War decimated the Ashkenazim, affecting almost every Jewish family. It is estimated that in the 11th century Ashkenazi Jews composed three percent of the world’s total Jewish population, while an estimate made in 1930 (near the population’s peak) had them as 92 percent of the world’s Jews.
Immediately prior to the Holocaust, the number of Jews in the world stood at approximately 16.7 million. Statistical figures vary for the contemporary demography of Ashkenazi Jews, ranging from 10 million to 11.2 million. Sergio Della Pergola, in a rough calculation of Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews, implies that Ashkenazi Jews make up 65–70% of Jews worldwide. Other estimates place Ashkenazi Jews as making up about 75% of Jews worldwide.
Science Tells Us It’s In the Genes
Genetic studies on Ashkenazim—researching both their paternal and maternal lineages, as well as autosomal DNA—point to a predominantly Levantine ancestry with varying degrees of Southern European admixture.
These studies have arrived at diverging conclusions regarding both the degree and the sources of their European admixture, with some focusing on the extent of the Southern European genetic origin observed in Ashkenazi maternal lineages, which is in contrast to the predominantly Middle Eastern genetic origin observed in Ashkenazi paternal lineages.
Efforts to identify the origins of Ashkenazi Jews through DNA analysis began in the 1990s.
Currently, there are three types of genetic origin testing;
autosomal DNA (atDNA) mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Y-chromosomal DNA (Y-DNA)
Autosomal DNA is a mixture from an individual’s entire ancestry, Y-DNA shows a male’s lineage only along his strict paternal line, mtDNA shows any person’s lineage only along the strict maternal line. Genome-wide association studies have also been employed to yield findings relevant to genetic origins.
DNA Studies
Like most DNA studies of human migration patterns, the earliest studies on Ashkenazi Jews focused on the Y-DNA and mtDNA segments of the human genome. Both segments are unaffected by recombination (except for the ends of the Y chromosome – the pseudoautosomal regions are known as PAR1 and PAR2), thus allowing tracing of direct maternal and paternal lineages.
These studies revealed that Ashkenazi Jews originate from an ancient (2000 BCE – 700 BCE) population of the Middle East who had spread to Europe. Ashkenazic Jews display the homogeneity of a genetic bottleneck, meaning they descend from a larger population whose numbers were greatly reduced but recovered through a few founding individuals.
Although the Jewish people, in general, were present across a wide geographical area as described, genetic research done by Gil Atzmon of the Longevity Genes Project at Albert Einstein College of Medicine suggests
“that Ashkenazim branched off from other Jews around the time of the destruction of the First Temple, 2,500 years ago … flourished during the Roman Empire but then went through a ‘severe bottleneck’ as they dispersed, reducing a population of several million to just 400 families who left Northern Italy around the year 1000 for Central and eventually Eastern Europe.”
Various studies have arrived at diverging conclusions regarding both the degree and the sources of the non-Levantine admixture in Ashkenazim, particularly with respect to the extent of the non-Levantine genetic origin observed in Ashkenazi maternal lineages, which is in contrast to the predominant Levantine genetic origin observed in Ashkenazi paternal lineages.
All studies nevertheless agree that genetic overlap with the Fertile Crescent exists in both lineages, albeit at differing rates. Collectively, Ashkenazi Jews are less genetically diverse than other Jewish ethnic divisions, due to their genetic bottleneck.
Male lineages: Y-chromosomal DNA
The majority of genetic findings to date concerning Ashkenazi Jews conclude that the male lines were founded by ancestors from the Middle East.
A study of haplotypes of the Y-chromosome, published in 2000, addressed the paternal origins of Ashkenazi Jews. Hammer et al. found that the Y-chromosome of Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews contained mutations that are also common among other Middle Eastern peoples, but uncommon in the autochthonous European population.
This suggested that the male ancestors of the Ashkenazi Jews could be traced mostly to the Middle East. The proportion of male genetic admixture in Ashkenazi Jews amounts to less than 0.5% per generation over an estimated 80 generations, with “relatively minor contribution of European Y chromosomes to the Ashkenazim,” and a total admixture estimate “very similar to Motulsky’s average estimate of 12.5%.”
This supported the finding that “Diaspora Jews from Europe, Northwest Africa, and the Near East resemble each other more closely than they resemble their non-Jewish neighbors.” “Past research found that 50–80 percent of DNA from the Ashkenazi Y chromosome, which is used to trace the male lineage, originated in the Near East,” Richards said. The population has subsequently spread out.
A 2001 study by Nebel et al. showed that both Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish populations share the same overall paternal Near Eastern ancestries.
In comparison with data available from other relevant populations in the region, Jews were found to be more closely related to groups in the north of the Fertile Crescent. The authors also report on Eu 19 (R1a) chromosomes, which are very frequent in Central and Eastern Europeans (54–60%) at an elevated frequency (13%) in Ashkenazi Jews.
They hypothesized that the differences among Ashkenazim Jews could reflect low-level gene flow from surrounding European populations or genetic drift during isolation. A later 2005 study by Nebel et al., found a similar level of 11.5% of male Ashkenazim belonging to R1a1a (M17+), the dominant Y-chromosome haplogroup in Central and Eastern Europeans.
However, a 2017 study, concentrating on the Ashkenazi Levites where the proportion reaches 50% while signaling that there’s a “rich variation of haplogroup R1a outside of Europe which is phylogenetically separate from the typically European R1a branches”, precises that the particular R1a-Y2619 sub-clade testifies for a local origin, and that the “Middle Eastern origin of the Ashkenazi Levite lineage based on what was previously a relatively limited number of reported samples, can now be considered firmly validated.”
Female lineages: Mitochondrial DNA
Before 2006, geneticists had largely attributed the ethnogenesis of most of the world’s Jewish populations, including Ashkenazi Jews, to Israelite Jewish male migrants from the Middle East and “the women from each local population whom they took as wives and converted to Judaism.”
Thus, in 2002, in line with this model of origin, David Goldstein, now of Duke University, reported that unlike male Ashkenazi lineages, the female lineages in Ashkenazi Jewish communities “did not seem to be Middle Eastern”, and that each community had its own genetic pattern and even that “in some cases, the mitochondrial DNA was closely related to that of the host community.”
In his view, this suggested;
“that Jewish men had arrived from the Middle East, taken wives from the host population and converted them to Judaism, after which there was no further intermarriage with non-Jews.”
In 2006, a study by Behar et al., based on what was at that time high-resolution analysis of haplogroup K (mtDNA), suggested that about 40% of the current Ashkenazi population is descended matrilineally from just four women, or “founder lineages”, that were “likely from a Hebrew/Levantine mtDNA pool” originating in the Middle East in the 1st and 2nd centuries CE. Additionally, Behar et al. suggested that the rest of Ashkenazi mtDNA is originated from ~150 women and that most of those were also likely of Middle Eastern origin.
In reference specifically to Haplogroup K, they suggested that although it is common throughout western Eurasia, “the observed global pattern of distribution renders very unlikely the possibility that the four aforementioned founder lineages entered the Ashkenazi mtDNA pool via gene flow from a European host population”.
In 2013, a study of Ashkenazi mitochondrial DNA by a team led by Martin B. Richards of the University of Huddersfield in England reached different conclusions, in line with the pre-2006 origin hypothesis.
Testing was performed on the full 16,600 DNA units composing mitochondrial DNA (the 2006 Behar study had only tested 1,000 units) in all their subjects, and the study found that the four main female Ashkenazi founders had descent lines that were established in Europe 10,000 to 20,000 years in the past while most of the remaining minor founders also have a deep European ancestry.
The study argued that the great majority of Ashkenazi maternal lineages were not brought from the Near East or the Caucasus, but instead assimilated within Europe, primarily of Italian and Old French origins.
The Richards study estimated that more than 80 percent of Ashkenazi maternal ancestry comes from women indigenous to Europe, and only 8 percent from the Near East, while the origin of the remainder is undetermined.
According to the study these findings “point to a significant role for the conversion of women in the formation of Ashkenazi communities.” Karl Skorecki criticized the study for perceived flaws in phylogenetic analysis. “While Costa et al have re-opened the question of the maternal origins of Ashkenazi Jewry, the phylogenetic analysis in the manuscript does not ‘settle’ the question.”
A 2014 study by Fernández et al. found that Ashkenazi Jews display a frequency of haplogroup K in their maternal DNA, suggesting an ancient Near Eastern matrilineal origin, similar to the results of the Behar study in 2006. Fernández noted that this observation clearly contradicts the results of the 2013 study led by Richards that suggested a European source for 3 exclusively Ashkenazi K lineages.
Association and linkage studies
In genetic epidemiology, a genome-wide association study (GWA study, or GWAS) is an examination of all or most of the genes (the genome) of different individuals of a particular species to see how much the genes vary from individual to individual. These techniques were originally designed for epidemiological uses, to identify genetic associations with observable traits.
A 2006 study by Seldin et al. used over five thousand autosomal SNPs to demonstrate the European genetic substructure. The results showed “a consistent and reproducible distinction between ‘northern’ and ‘southern’ European population groups”. Most northern, central, and eastern Europeans (Finns, Swedes, English, Irish, Germans, and Ukrainians) showed >90% in the “northern” population group, while most individual participants with southern European ancestry (Italians, Greeks, Portuguese, Spaniards) showed >85% in the “southern” group. Both Ashkenazi Jews, as well as Sephardic Jews, showed >85% membership in the “southern” group. Referring to the Jews’ clustering with southern Europeans, the authors state the results were “consistent with a later Mediterranean origin of these ethnic groups”.
A 2007 study by Bauchet et al. found that Ashkenazi Jews were most closely clustered with Arabic North African populations when compared to the global population, and in the European structure analysis, they share similarities only with Greeks and Southern Italians, reflecting their east Mediterranean origins.
A 2010 study on Jewish ancestry by Atzmon-Ostrer et al. stated “Two major groups were identified by principal component, phylogenetic, and identity by descent (IBD) analysis: Middle Eastern Jews and European/Syrian Jews. The IBD segment sharing and the proximity of European Jews to each other and to southern European populations suggested similar origins for European Jewry and refuted large-scale genetic contributions of Central and Eastern European and Slavic populations to the formation of Ashkenazi Jewry”, as both groups – the Middle Eastern Jews and European/Syrian Jews – shared common ancestors in the Middle East about 2500 years ago.
The study examines genetic markers spread across the entire genome and shows that the Jewish groups (Ashkenazi and non-Ashkenazi) share large swaths of DNA, indicating close relationships and that each of the Jewish groups in the study (Iranian, Iraqi, Syrian, Italian, Turkish, Greek and Ashkenazi) has its own genetic signature but is more closely related to the other Jewish groups than to their fellow non-Jewish countrymen.
Atzmon’s team found that the SNP markers in genetic segments of 3 million DNA letters or longer were 10 times more likely to be identical among Jews than non-Jews. Results of the analysis also tally with biblical accounts of the fate of the Jews.
The study also found that with respect to non-Jewish European groups, the population most closely related to Ashkenazi Jews are modern-day Italians. The study speculated that the genetic-similarity between Ashkenazi Jews and Italians may be due to inter-marriage and conversions in the time of the Roman Empire. It was also found that any two Ashkenazi Jewish participants in the study shared about as much DNA as fourth or fifth cousins.
A 2010 study by Bray et al., using SNP microarray techniques and linkage analysis found that when assuming Druze and Palestinian Arab populations to represent the reference to world Jewry ancestor genome, between 35 and 55 percent of the modern Ashkenazi genome can possibly be of European origin, and that European “admixture is considerably higher than previous estimates by studies that used the Y chromosome” with this reference point.
Assuming this reference point the linkage disequilibrium in the Ashkenazi Jewish population was interpreted as “matches signs of interbreeding or ‘admixture’ between Middle Eastern and European populations”.
On the Bray et al. tree, Ashkenazi Jews were found to be a genetically more divergent population than Russians, Orcadians, French, Basques, Sardinians, Italians and Tuscans. The study also observed that Ashkenazim are more diverse than their Middle Eastern relatives, which was counterintuitive because Ashkenazim are supposed to be a subset, not a superset, of their assumed geographical source population. Bray et al. therefore postulate that these results reflect not the population antiquity but a history of mixing between genetically distinct populations in Europe.
However, it is possible that the relaxation of marriage prescription in the ancestors of Ashkenazim drove their heterozygosity up, while the maintenance of the FBD rule in native Middle Easterners has been keeping their heterozygosity values in check. Ashkenazim distinctiveness as found in the Bray et al. study, therefore, may come from their ethnic endogamy (ethnic inbreeding), which allowed them to “mine” their ancestral gene pool in the context of relative reproductive isolation from European neighbors, and not from clan endogamy (clan inbreeding). Consequently, their higher diversity compared to Middle Easterners stems from the latter’s marriage practices, not necessarily from the former’s admixture with Europeans.
The genome-wide genetic study carried out in 2010 by Behar et al. examined the genetic relationships among all major Jewish groups, including Ashkenazim, as well as the genetic relationship between these Jewish groups and non-Jewish ethnic populations.
The study found that contemporary Jews (excluding Indian and Ethiopian Jews) have a close genetic relationship with people from the Levant. The authors explained that “the most parsimonious explanation for these observations is a common genetic origin, which is consistent with a historical formulation of the Jewish people as descending from ancient Hebrew and Israelite residents of the Levant”.
A study by Behar et al. (2013) found evidence in Ashkenazim of mixed European and Levantine origins. The authors found the greatest affinity and shared ancestry of Ashkenazi Jews to be first with other Jewish groups from southern Europe, Syria, and North Africa, and secondly with both southern Europeans (such as Italians) and modern Levantines (such as the Druze, Cypriots, Lebanese and Samaritans).
In addition to finding no affinity in Ashkenazim with northern Caucasus populations, the authors found no more affinity in Ashkenazi Jews to modern south Caucasus and eastern Anatolian populations (such as Armenians, Azeris, Georgians, and Turks) than found in non-Ashkenazi Jews or non-Jewish Middle Easterners (such as the Kurds, Iranians, Druze and Lebanese).
A 2017 autosomal study by Xue, Shai Carmi et al. found an approximately even mixture of Middle-Eastern and European ancestry in Ashkenazi Jews: with the European component being largely Southern European with a minority being Eastern European, and the Middle Eastern ancestry showing the strongest affinity to Levantine populations such as the Druze and Lebanese.
The Khazar Connection
Main article: Preston James PhD – The Hidden History of the Incredibly Evil Khazarian Mafia
In the late 19th century, it was proposed that the core of today’s Ashkenazi Jewry are genetically descended from a hypothetical Khazarian Jewish diaspora who had migrated westward from modern Russia and Ukraine into modern France and Germany (as opposed to the currently held theory that Jews migrated from France and Germany into Eastern Europe).
The hypothesis is not corroborated by historical sources and is unsubstantiated by genetics, but it is still occasionally supported by scholars who have had some success in keeping the theory in the academic consciousness.[178]
The theory has sometimes been used by Jewish authors such as Arthur Koestler as part of an argument against traditional forms of antisemitism (for example the claim that “the Jews killed Christ”), just as similar arguments have been advanced on behalf of the Crimean Karaites. Today, however, the theory is more often associated with antisemitism[179] and anti-Zionism.
A 2013 trans-genome study carried out by 30 geneticists, from 13 universities and academies, from 9 countries, assembling the largest data set available to date, for assessment of Ashkenazi Jewish genetic origins found no evidence of Khazar origin among Ashkenazi Jews.
“Thus, analysis of Ashkenazi Jews together with a large sample from the region of the Khazar Khaganate corroborates the earlier results that Ashkenazi Jews derive their ancestry primarily from populations of the Middle East and Europe, that they possess considerable shared ancestry with other Jewish populations, and that there is no indication of a significant genetic contribution either from within or from north of the Caucasus region”, the authors concluded. The authors found no affinity in Ashkenazim with North Caucasus populations, as well as no greater affinity in Ashkenazim to the south Caucasus or Anatolian populations than that found in non-Ashkenazi Jews and non-Jewish Middle Easterners (such as the Kurds, Iranians, Druze, and Lebanese).
The greatest affinity and shared ancestry of Ashkenazi Jews were found to be (after those with other Jewish groups from southern Europe, Syria, and North Africa) with both southern Europeans and Levantines such as Druze, Cypriot, Lebanese and Samaritan groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Clearly, the DNA tells us that Ashkenazi Jews descend on the female side from Southern Europe about 10,000 to 20,000 B.C. and this causes a dilemma for DNA companies who are telling good people like Mayim Bialik that their origins are religious.
Jewish history begins with the covenant established between God and Abraham around 1812 BC (over 3,800 years ago), during the Bronze Age, in the Middle East. The Torah (Jewish Law), the primary document of Judaism, was said to be given to the Jews by the Prophet Moses (Moshe) about 3,300 years ago.
And that’s that! Mayim’s female ancestor who lived in Southern Europe around 20,000 B.C. was NOT Jewish. Based on what we know, the best we can say is that her ancestor was a modern human, whose ancestors probably bred with Neanderthals around 45,000-50,000 B.C. giving her trace evidence of Neanderthal DNA. Her ancestor was probably Pagan. We have NO evidence of religion from peoples during the time. We just don’t really know what they believed.
But that does NOT matter…..because religion is NOT a race or ethnicity. It cannot be found in our genes. We simply cannot deduce one’s religion scientifically.
Most likely, we can say that Mayim’s ancestors were Pagan, Jews, Christians, and Muslims. For a zillion reasons, people changed their religions over the centuries.
So technically speaking, Mayim’s DNA, comes from both the Middle East and Souther Europe well before Judaism appeared on the scene.
So this weird analysis by 23andMe.com and others like Ancestry.com who tell users they are descended from Ashkenazi Jew is, at best silly. At worst, it could be some broader plan to normalize this specific religion as a race to further some political agenda.
While there is lots of speculation on this from many around the world, there is NO direct evidence that these DNA companies are under “orders” from a higher source to sell this scientifically silly idea.
But what is NOT under dispute is that religions are NOT ethnicities no matter how many try to say are! Religion and faith have ZERO to do with genes.
We can actually take a baby from a Jewish family and place him halfway around the world into a Muslim country with a Muslim family and he will NOT magically turn Jewish due to his genes. Instead, he’s probably got a 99.7% chance of being raised Muslim. That’s just the way it is…
In other words, we cannot have a predisposition to be a Jew, Christian or Muslim no matter how hard the sellers of these religions wish it to be… why? Because, as famed Astrophysicist Neil De Grasse Tyson says
“The good thing about science is that it’s true whether or not you believe in it.”.
MEMO to Mayim
Hey girl, full respect for being proud of your Jewish heritage. That’s cool. But your DNA has NO Jewish instructions. No DNA has religious instructions!
In fact, DNA is made of chemical building blocks called nucleotides. These building blocks are made of three parts: a phosphate group, a sugar group and one of four types of nitrogen bases. To form a strand of DNA, nucleotides are linked into chains, with the phosphate and sugar groups alternating.
The four types of nitrogen bases found in nucleotides are adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G) and cytosine (C). The order, or sequence, of these bases, determines what biological instructions are contained in a strand of DNA. For example, the sequence ATCGTT might instruct for blue eyes, while ATCGCT might instruct for brown.
The complete DNA instruction book, or genome, for a human, contains about 3 billion bases and about 20,000 genes on 23 pairs of chromosomes; none of which are Jewish!
We’re All Human Beings
So this author says to everyone be proud of your origins. It’s fun to figure out where we come from. It gives us a center, a purpose. Let’s just be honest about it because we really need to raise up our awareness so we, as modern 21st-century human beings living together in a new globally connected world, can live well, at peace, and in harmony as one.
In fact, here’s some truth we can all connect to….
ALL OF US are HomoSapiens (Modern Humans) and all of us come Out of Africa… science fact!
So thank you to my true sister Mayim Bialik for her fun video giving me the inspiration to explore our collective human experience together. Cheers to sites like DNA Weekly that provide good info on DNA testing. And three cheers to science for shedding light on the reality we are all human beings of the exact same species, out of Africa and into the whole world… as brothers true!
Sources: Ashkenazi Jews