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Christopher Columbus May Have Sephardic Jewish Roots, Say Spanish Scientists
Madrid, Spain – Christopher Columbus, the 15th-century explorer credited with opening the Americas to European colonization, may have been a Sephardic Jew from Western Europe, according to new DNA research. Spanish scientists revealed their findings on Saturday, shedding light on the long-standing debate surrounding Columbus’ origins.
For centuries, historians and nations have argued over Columbus’ birthplace and final resting place. Traditionally, it was believed that Columbus hailed from Genoa, Italy, but alternative theories have persisted, with some suggesting he was of Spanish Jewish, Greek, Basque, Portuguese, or even British descent.
A team of researchers led by forensic expert Miguel Lorente conducted a 22-year investigation, using DNA analysis on remains buried in Seville Cathedral. These remains have long been identified as Columbus’ final resting place, although rival claims exist. The findings were announced in a documentary titled “Columbus DNA: The True Origin” aired on Spain’s national broadcaster TVE on Saturday.
“We have DNA from Christopher Columbus—very partial, but sufficient. We also have DNA from Hernando Colón, his son,” Lorente explained during the broadcast. He further added that both the Y chromosome (inherited from the father) and the mitochondrial DNA (inherited from the mother) show traits consistent with Jewish ancestry.
This discovery ties into a historical backdrop of the expulsion of Jews and Muslims from Spain. Before the Catholic monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand ordered Jews to convert to Catholicism or leave Spain in 1492, around 300,000 Jews lived in the country. Many fled to various parts of the world, leaving a lasting diaspora known as Sephardic Jews. The term “Sephardic” comes from “Sefarad,” the Hebrew word for Spain.
The research team examined 25 possible places for Columbus’ birth and concluded that he was from Western Europe, although they could not pinpoint the exact location. On Thursday, Lorente confirmed that their findings strongly support the theory that the remains in Seville indeed belong to Columbus.
The journey to unravel Columbus’ origins has been challenging due to the sheer volume of historical data. However, Lorente expressed confidence in the results, stating that “the outcome is almost absolutely reliable.”
Columbus died in 1506 in Valladolid, Spain, but he had requested to be buried on the island of Hispaniola, now shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. His remains were moved several times: to Hispaniola in 1542, then to Cuba in 1795, before allegedly being transferred to Seville in 1898.
The new findings add another layer to the complex legacy of Columbus, a figure who continues to spark debate over his role in history, much like the divisive conversations that persist in today’s news landscape.
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Russia Demands SWIFT Reconnection as Condition to Revive Black Sea Initiative
Russia has set forth a key demand for the restoration of the Black Sea Initiative—reconnecting its Agricultural Bank, Rosselkhozbank, to the SWIFT financial system. This request, which falls under the jurisdiction of the European Union (EU), comes amid ongoing negotiations between global powers on the war in Ukraine.
Partial Ceasefire and Black Sea Security Agreement
Following recent talks in Saudi Arabia, the United States announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a partial ceasefire specifically covering energy facilities. While this fell short of the broader ceasefire pushed by former President Donald Trump, the parties also agreed on measures to ensure the safe navigation of commercial vessels in the Black Sea and to prevent their use for military purposes.
However, the Kremlin quickly detailed additional conditions, demanding the lifting of sanctions on food exports, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and cargo insurance. Most notably, Russia is insisting that Rosselkhozbank and other financial institutions involved in agricultural trade be reinstated on SWIFT, a global messaging system that facilitates secure financial transactions.
EU’s Role and Sanctions History
SWIFT, headquartered in Belgium, falls under EU regulations. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU removed several Russian banks from SWIFT in 2022, including Sberbank, Credit Bank of Moscow, and Rosselkhozbank. The exclusion was a significant blow to Russia’s financial system, as it restricted the country’s ability to conduct international transactions.
Rosselkhozbank, a state-owned institution, plays a critical role in facilitating payments for Russia’s agricultural exports, a major revenue source through the global sale of wheat, barley, and corn. While the EU has not directly sanctioned Russian agricultural exports, the banking restrictions have complicated payments for these transactions, leading to the collapse of the initial Black Sea Initiative brokered by Turkey and the United Nations.
Diplomatic Tensions and Uncertain Outcomes
The demand to reinstate Rosselkhozbank puts the EU in a difficult position. Granting this request could signal a willingness to make concessions, potentially encouraging Russia to seek further sanctions relief. However, refusing it could provoke tensions with the Trump administration, which is eager to secure a ceasefire.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently opposed easing sanctions, arguing that they must remain in place until Russia ends its military aggression. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this stance, stating that sanctions would only be lifted after Russia takes concrete steps toward peace.
As EU sanctions require unanimous renewal every six months, any member state could disrupt the process. Hungary, which has previously expressed opposition to sanctions, could leverage this situation to push for changes when restrictions are up for review on July 31.
Future of SWIFT and Global Financial Pressures
While the EU holds the power to reinstate Rosselkhozbank’s SWIFT access, the U.S. could signal leniency by ensuring that those engaging with the bank avoid legal repercussions. Analysts suggest that Russia’s demand may be a strategic move to test both Washington and Brussels, pressuring the EU to reconsider its stance on financial restrictions.
For now, the EU remains firm in its approach. France has indicated that sanctions should remain unless Russia agrees to a full ceasefire, reparations, and security guarantees for Ukraine. However, with negotiations ongoing and international pressure mounting, the debate over SWIFT and broader sanctions relief is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
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