Skip to main content

Ashkenazi v Sephardic Jews

 Context on the ClaimsRobert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) has repeatedly referenced a 2020 genetic study (Hou et al., published in BMC Medicine) to support his assertion that COVID-19 disproportionately spared Ashkenazi Jews and people of Chinese descent due to genetic factors in the ACE2 receptor gene, implying the virus might have been "ethnically targeted." The study analyzed public genomic data and found that Ashkenazi Jews (along with Amish populations) had a notably low prevalence (near 0%) of certain ACE2 variants that could potentially increase susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 binding. However, this was early-pandemic speculation based on predictive models, not clinical data from actual COVID-19 patients. Subsequent research, including biochemical assays and large-scale epidemiological studies, has found no evidence of genetic "immunity" for Ashkenazi Jews or Chinese populations. Disparities in COVID-19 outcomes were overwhelmingly driven by social, economic, and healthcare access factors, not ethnicity-specific genetics.In a recent (October 2025) interview on The Tucker Carlson Show, guest Dr. Andrew Huff (an epidemiologist and author) echoed RFK Jr.'s claims, calling them "scientifically true" and vaguely referencing an unnamed "scientific publication" that allegedly showed differential COVID-19 impacts between Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews. Huff suggested one subgroup was "more heavily impacted" than the other, without specifying which or providing details. No such study matching this description appears in peer-reviewed literature; available data on Jewish subgroups (e.g., from Israel) shows variations tied to socioeconomic status, community density, and vaccine uptake rather than genetics. For instance, ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jewish communities—often Ashkenazi—experienced higher infection rates due to large households and lower initial vaccination rates, while Bedouin (non-Jewish but comparable minority) communities had lower rates.Claims of engineered ethnic immunity remain unsubstantiated and have been widely criticized as promoting harmful stereotypes.Breakdown of Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish GroupsAshkenazi and Sephardic Jews are two major ethnic divisions within the global Jewish population (totaling 15-16 million worldwide), stemming from historical diasporas after the Roman destruction of the Second Temple (70 CE). Both groups share a common ancient Levantine (Middle Eastern) ancestry, but centuries of geographic separation led to distinct genetic, cultural, and health profiles. Ashkenazi Jews form the largest subgroup (70-80% of Jews globally, or ~10-12 million), while Sephardic Jews comprise ~10-15% (1.5-2 million). (The remaining are Mizrahi Jews, from the Middle East/North Africa, who overlap genetically and culturally with Sephardim.)Here's a comparative breakdown:Aspect

Ashkenazi Jews

Sephardic Jews

Historical Origins

Emerged in the Rhineland (Germany/France) ~800-1000 CE; migrated eastward to Poland, Lithuania, Russia. Persecutions (e.g., pogroms, Holocaust) reduced population bottlenecks.

Descendants of Jews in Iberia (Spain/Portugal) until expulsion in 1492; resettled in North Africa, Ottoman Empire (Turkey, Greece, Balkans), Netherlands, and Americas.

Geographic Distribution Today

Primarily U.S. (5-6 million), Israel (2.8 million), Europe (e.g., France, UK).

Israel (~1 million), France, Turkey, Morocco, Argentina, U.S. (smaller communities).

Cultural/Linguistic Traits

Yiddish language; Eastern European cuisine (e.g., gefilte fish, kugel); traditions influenced by Talmudic scholarship. More secular/urban in modern diaspora.

Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) language; Mediterranean/North African cuisine (e.g., borekas, fish with tomatoes); diverse prayer rites (e.g., less stringent than Ashkenazi). Often more integrated with local cultures.

Genetic Profile

~50-60% Middle Eastern ancestry; 30-40% Southern European admixture (esp. maternal lines from conversions/intermarriages). High endogamy led to genetic isolation; effective population size ~350 founders ~600-800 years ago. Shares more with other Ashkenazim than non-Jews.

~60-70% Middle Eastern/North African ancestry; 20-30% Iberian/North African admixture. Less bottlenecked, more diverse; closer genetically to Mizrahi Jews and some Arabs (e.g., Lebanese). Shares ~30% European ancestry with Ashkenazim, but overall more variable.

Health/Genetic Disorders

Founder effects amplify rare recessive diseases: Tay-Sachs (1:27 carriers), Gaucher disease (1:15), BRCA1/2 mutations (higher breast/ovarian cancer risk, 1:40 carriers), Canavan disease, Familial Dysautonomia. Screening programs (e.g., Dor Yeshorim) have reduced incidence by >90% for some.

Fewer shared disorders due to diversity; regional specifics include beta-thalassemia (1:30 in some North African groups), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (favism), familial Mediterranean fever. Less emphasis on pan-group screening; overlaps with local non-Jewish populations.

COVID-19 Specifics

No evidence of broad "immunity." Early genetic speculation (low ACE2 variants) unproven; real-world data shows higher rates in dense ultra-Orthodox subgroups (e.g., 31% infection rate in Israel vs. 13.7% national). High vaccine uptake in secular Ashkenazim; overall mortality aligned with age/comorbidities.

Similar lack of genetic immunity. In Israel, "general Jewish" towns (mixed Sephardic/Ashkenazi) had lower initial infections than ultra-Orthodox but higher than Arab/Bedouin areas. Vaccine hesitancy lower than Haredi but varied by community; outcomes tied to SES/density, not ethnicity. No subgroup-specific studies confirm differential impacts.

Key TakeawaysShared Roots, Distinct Paths: All Jewish groups trace ~50%+ ancestry to the ancient Levant, making them genetically closer to each other than to most non-Jews in their diaspora regions. Differences arise from admixture and isolation, not separate origins.

No COVID "Immunity" Divide: Neither group showed inherent resistance; Israeli data highlights environmental factors (e.g., ultra-Orthodox density driving outbreaks). Broader disparities (e.g., higher U.S. Black/Latino rates) were socioeconomic.

Health Implications: Ashkenazi genetic screening is a success story in preventive medicine, but Sephardic/Mizrahi efforts lag due to diversity. Ongoing genomic research (e.g., via 23andMe, Israeli biobanks) continues to refine these profiles.

If you'd like sources for specific studies, deeper dives into genetics, or analysis of related X posts/interviews, let me know!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tucker anti western propoganda

 Tucker's Qatar Claim: Fact-Checking the "Zero Rapes" MythTucker Carlson recently claimed on his podcast (August 2025) that Qatar has "zero rapes" under Sharia law, using it to argue that Islamic legal systems outperform Western democracies in maintaining order. During an interview with Seth Harp, he praised Sharia for low reported crime, low abortion rates, and no same-sex marriage—positioning it as a model for conservatives frustrated with American liberalism.This is propaganda wrapped in contrarianism—cherry-picked stats that ignore harsh realities. Here’s the breakdown:The Claim's Flaw: "Zero Rapes" Isn't Safety—It's SuppressionOfficial stats vs. reality: Qatar reports near-zero rapes because Sharia-based laws make reporting dangerous for victims. Rape requires four male Muslim witnesses (or a confession), or it's treated as zina (adultery/fornication). Women who report assault often face imprisonment, flogging, or worse for "e...
Post a Comment
Read more

Qatar Anti-Anerican funding

  Qatar's Spending Overview Qatar, a major Gulf state with significant oil and gas revenues, channels funds through government entities like the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), Qatar Foundation, and state-linked charities (e.g., Qatar Charity). These often support humanitarian, educational, and political goals but have drawn criticism for advancing Qatari foreign policy interests, including ties to Islamist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. Below, I break down spending in the requested categories based on public reports, FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act) filings, U.S. Department of Education disclosures, and analyses from think tanks like ISGAP and the Middle East Forum. Figures are approximate and cumulative where specified; recent years (2023–2025) show acceleration amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. 1. Funding to American Colleges Qatar is the largest foreign donor to U.S. higher education, primarily via the Qatar Foundation (a state-controlled entity) for branc...
Post a Comment
Read more

EU and X

 LEFT WING RESEARCHERS WANT TO LIMIT RIGHT WING DIALOGE! The EU's DSA requirement for researcher data access (Article 40) gives "vetted" researchers—typically academics or non-profits approved by national regulators—easier access to public X data like post engagement, views, and networks. The official goal is studying "systemic risks" (e.g., disinformation spread). Critics argue this can chill or deter honest/open dialogue in these ways:Broad and subjective labeling of "disinformation" or "harmful" speech: Researchers studying political topics can flag dissenting or unpopular views (e.g., on immigration, elections, gender issues, or COVID policies) as "misinformation" if they don't align with mainstream narratives, leading to reports that pressure platforms or governments to suppress them. Doxxing and harassment risks: Detailed data (e.g., who engages with controversial posts) can reveal user networks or identities, even if post...
Post a Comment
Read more