Reply #32: The Samaritans split from Judaism around 2,000 years ago [View All]

[oberliner]

The Samaritans split from Judaism around 2,000 years ago, but because they speak ancient Hebrew and pray in synagogues, they are often mistaken for Jews.

For those Samaritans living in the West Bank, this can be problematic.

"The Palestinians know we live with Arabic people, but inside their mind, they think we're Jewish," Mr Cohen says.

"And because we also speak Arabic, the Jewish people think we're Arab.

"So we have a big problem - we're between two fires."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12069728

Incidentally, Israel has changed its mind a few times with respect to whether or not they are Jews for the purposes of the law of return.

In the early 1990's, they were not considered Jews by Israel for the purpose of the law of return.

It seems a better idea to go by what the Samaritans actually say about themselves and how they choose to self-identify, which is not as Jewish.