How the World Prejudice against the Jews led to their Holocausts and other Massacres Introduction Jews, which is translated to mean children of Israel, are a state and people who adhere to strict monotheism as a religion. Their origin is from the ancient Hebrews who lived in the Near East. In accordance to their tradition, their ancestry is traced back to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who are considered as the Biblical patriarchs. These Jews historically emanated from the Tribe of Judah and Simeon. The nationality, ethnicity and religion of the Jews are closely interrelated with each other. The conventional faith of the Jewish people is regarded as Judaism. Foreigners converting to Judaism are given the same status as Jewish citizens. Although conversion into Judaism is usually not an easy affair, and not encouraged, it is applied in the case of mixed marriages as found by Nebel et al (p115). Based on its existence, Israel was established as a Jewish state and its basic law defines it as such. Israel is the only nation in the world where the Jews consist of the majority population. In ancient history, the Jews had had their independence twice. The first of this independence lasted from 1350-586.