Jews in Europe are more closely related to one another than they are to non-Jewish Europeans, according to the largest study ever conducted of what it means genetically to be Jewish. Ashkenazis, the primary group descended from European Jews, are all as closely related as fourth or fifth cousins would be, the study found. The study, which was conducted primarily to further medical knowledge of genetic diseases, rejected a highly controversial idea that Ashkenazi Jews are descended from Khazars in Eastern Europe who converted to Judaism. Modern Jews show a clear Middle Eastern ancestry. The modern Jews most closely related to the original Hebrews are those in Iran, Iraq and Syria, whose closest non-Jewish relatives are the Druze, Bedouins and Palestinians. The study also found that the European population most closely related to Jews are the Italians.
Related:
Two major groups of living Jews (Atzmon et al. 2010)
Kevin MacDonald: A new study on Jewish genetics
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