It seems that the DNA of male Jews across the major divisions (Sephardic, Ashkenazi, Middle East, etc) show close ancestry, and points to a Middle East origin.
On the other hand, the DNA of female Jews across the same divisions reveals no common relationship.
The researchers speculate that Jewishness is male and that the Jewish men married local women. I love twists like this, even if eventually it is disproved.
See the article for more details. "In DNA, New Clues to Jewish Roots".
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/14/science/social/14GENE.html
-- John K. Taber
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