I received this note regarding this post:
"Hello As’ad,

My name is Mikhail, and I am currently in the process of receiving my PhD in bioinformatics in the United States. I constantly hear of such a phenomenon where individuals from a certain country attempt to distance themselves from others, particularly those around them. African tribes do this, Lebanese do this, and even Iranians do this. The silly thing with the “revolutionary findings” attributed to that Dr is that Lebanese people do share common characteristics/genes with Palestinians and Syrians. However, when one looks at Palestinian genes, they are in fact “more different” than Lebanese. This is because of the strong presence of crusaders/ottomans/Romans/Hebrews/Greeks in the country (and even more in Jerusalem, city of three faiths). For instance, I am Palestinian, but of German, Turkish, and Lebanese descent. Many families in Palestine originate in other countries (i.e. the Netche (Nietzsche) family tree originates in Germany) in Europe, the middle-east, Turkey, etc. Genealogically speaking, Palestinians are probably the “least Arabic” (actually sharing more in common genetically with Spanish Jews than with other Arabs); however, they do not have the reputation of denying Arab roots, because it is simply preposterous to claim that they are not Arabic when they speak it, eat it, and live it, just as the Lebanese do. Lebanese people also share SOME European genes, but nothing which would lead them to “distance” themselves from Arabs. Lebanese people are what Palestinians are what Syrians are what Levantine people are! (Especially the coastal communities). You cannot deny something when you share common culture, language, music, cuisine, etc, with. In this case, you are what you hate my friend.

My best,

Mikhail C S

P.S. If you wish to use this email on your blog, you have my permission. Thanks"