Why arent Jews considered Middle Eastern?

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GREEK BARBiE

GEOGRAPHICALLY they are Middle eastern since they are located in the Middle East.

But you have to understand, that the entire Middle East (with the exception of Israel) is packed with third world countries, high illiteracy rates, and high birthrates. Israel doesnt fit to any of the above (maybe birthrates), but its a developed country filled with smart people. Middle East is mostly filled with Arabs who are Muslim and speak Arabic. Israelites for the most part are Jewish and speak Hebrew and share a completely different culture. They are a different race and look nothing like Arabs.

Most the people when they think of the Middle East they think of extreme poverty, Islam, Arabs, poor education. This is the biggest stereotype many people have about the Middle East. Israel however isnt any of the above. This is why most people dont refer to Jews as Middle Easterns, but just Jews. However, Geographically speaking, yes THEY ARE MIddle Eastern.

Benji98

Israeli Jews are Middle Eastern. Jews born outside of the Middle East aren't. It's really that simple.

What democratic nation is built to have a religious majority?
Well, I guess you're right. None of the countries in the Middle East can really be called democratic besides Israel.

Hatikvah JPA

I'm surprised that you didn't know that most Jews have not lived in Israel for the last 2000 years. Did you know that Christianity originated in Israel as well? Perhaps we should designate Christians as Middle Eastern also!

It's amazing that everyone is allowed to designate Jewish identify EXCEPT the Jews. I think it's time that non-Christians designated exactly who Christians are in spite of their protests. I suspect that Muslims would join in this endeavor since they are constantly designated as Arabs regardless of their background.
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paperback writer

I can make this very clear for you:

Jews collectively and historically: originally from the middle east

Jews ethnically: there are Jews from all over the world and from all ethnic groups

Jews nationally: Jews in Israel are Middle Eastern

Jews in Britain: British

Jews in France: French

See? :)

riviva

Most of us are considered Middle Eastern by educated people.

The exceptions are ashkenazi jews whose ancestors had been in Europe for so long that they are more European in culture, skin color and habit.

HopelessZ00

Jews live all over the world and carry many different passports and nationalities thus you can have an Amercian Jew. The country Israel and those who have Israeli citizenship are considered to be Middle Eastern. As Israel is in Asia. Cheers!

Mr. Pitiful (was Gonzo)

we are not?
thats new to me

Jasmine

If a Jew is born in Israel they are considered Middle eastern!

Jdriven

When I think middle eastern I'm starting in Israel and then her neighbors.
Who said she isn't?

Mr. X

some are, some aren't.

harry k

Historically, the ethnic divisions among Jews have been dominated by two major groups: the Ashkenazim, or "Germans" (Ashkenaz meaning "Germany" in Medieval Hebrew, denoting their Central European base), and the Sephardim, or "Spaniards" (Sefarad meaning "Spain" or "Iberia" in Hebrew, denoting their Spanish and Portuguese base). The Mizrahim, or "Easterners" (Mizrach being "East" in Hebrew), that is Middle Eastern, Central Asian, Caucasusian, and North African Jews, could constitute a third major group.

rosends

middle eastern jews are considered middle eastern. american catholics aren't italian by the way.

Freedom F

Let me step in. I think I can answer this one.

Jews are not a race, they are a religion. Some Jews are ethnically Middle eastern. Some are not.

If you are from...say Russia, then you would not be considered ethnically Middle eastern. The same would hold true if you were from Germany etc.

f u n k.

Israel is located in the Middle East
but people love stereotyping as you may know
so they tend to see the Middle East as Islams
so Jews don't fit that image

*sigh*

JeCanGirl :)

They should be, but probably aren't because Middle Eastern con-notates Arabic.

Faraj - King Of Ramadan Section

NO! If you speak of Israeli Jews. They are mostly Europeans and Russians. The ones who are Arab denie this and call themselves Mizahari* Jews. The democratic nation of Israel is the worst ever created. What democratic nation is built to have a certain religous mojority?

C.J.

Well its because a lot of Jews aren't real Jews, and that Jews aren't Middle Eastern, Israelis and Israelites are, and Hebrews are still Middle Eastern as well because that area of Turkey is considered the Middle East also.

Another thing almost every group of people came out of Africa and then to the Middle East and outward, that means everyone would be called Middle Eastern in that case, which isn't how it works.

Eu Citizen

OK the answer from Greek Barbie is really stupid and makes her sound like a bigot...a really hot bigot.........

anyway Jews are not considered Middle Eastern because there origins are not middle eastern, (having an ancestor who lived in the middle east 2000 doesn't count lol)

The European (white) Jews also refered to as Ashekanazies are originally from Europe and have only been in
Palestine (Israel if u like) for 120 years when they started settling in the middle east. Therefore they are Europeans not middle eastern.

However Israel has a large Arab population around 1 million Palestinians have Israeli citizenship and 35%-40% of Israel is made up of Arab Jews.(Jews who came from Arab lands not from Palestine itself.)

These Arab jews come from North Arica,Iraq and Yemen mainly.

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