Which MENA nation has the closest connection with Europe ?

**~~Nassbean~~** · 10-20-2019, 01:53 PM

On a historical , cultural and genetic level ? Turkey and Armenia are not included in this debate.

Imo It's either Tunisia or Lebanon --> Tunisia : on a historical point of view tunisia will play a key role in the roman empire and later the Byzantine empire providing important ressources, political figures , christian and scholar figures. It's also from her territory that Carthage spread it's influence on the west med area and later the Aghlabids controlled Sicily and some parts of south Italy. On the cultural level modern Tunisia is without a doubt a MENA country the islamic and ME influence on Tunisia is not negligible but she's probably one of the most secular MENA nation and that maybe put her closer to Europe ( also there is of course the mediterranean way of life) in the past this link was of course stronger ( pre-islamic era). On the genetic level maghrebis in general have the highest amount of euro components (it vary a lot between individuals but coastal maghrebis have a decent amount in general) :

As for Lebanon It's because of her unique socio-religious context and the european refugees who went there (it would be good if someone who knows well this region gives his opinion about lebanon).

**Smeagol** · 10-20-2019, 02:00 PM

On the genetic level maghrebis in general have the highest amount of euro components (it vary a lot between individuals but coastal maghrebis have a decent amount in general)

Actually no, that would be the Ashkenazi and Sephardic populations of Israel.

**~~Nassbean~~** · 10-20-2019, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by Smeagol

Actually no, that would be the Ashkenazi and Sephardic populations of Israel.

Their genetic history is way too complex and different to consider them Middle easterners. Living in the ME doesn't make someone ME.

**Samnium** · 10-20-2019, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Nassbean

Their genetic history is way too complex and different to consider them Middle easterners. Living in the ME doesn't make someone ME.

They are very distinct from ME and NA populations that's true, they aren't Middle Easterners. + if they are from partial Mizrahi origin they would still not plot with ME since Ashkenazim are way more northern-shifted.

**PaleoEuropean** · 10-20-2019, 02:46 PM

Jews are middle easterners, if they aren't then they are just Europeans with smaller hats

**~~Nassbean~~** · 10-20-2019, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by PaleoEuropean

Jews are middle easterners, if they aren't then they are just Europeans with smaller hats

Ancient jews were middle easterners not the modern ones who are way too different from other ME and NA thanks to conversions.

**PaleoEuropean** · 10-20-2019, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by Nassbean

Ancient jews were middle easterners not the modern ones who are way too different from other ME and NA thanks to conversions.

Yea but they the ones in Israel have bred with Arab Sephardim (not the same as Spanish and Portuguese) and Mizrahi Jews who have leveled out their mixing.

**PaleoEuropean** · 10-20-2019, 02:53 PM

*forgot to include Yemenite Jews

**Samnium** · 10-20-2019, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by PaleoEuropean

Yea but they the ones in Israel have bred with Arab Sephardim (not the same as Spanish and Portuguese) and Mizrahi Jews who have leveled out their mixing.

Hmm... I don't know where Mizrahi Jews plot but certainly not with the yemenite population, surely more ME shifted like Moroccan Jews are more NA-Shifted.