Christopher Columbus may have been a Spanish Jew, according to a new documentary

On October 12, 2024, a documentary titled 'Columbus' DNA, his true origin' was broadcast by Spain's national public network RTVE, suggesting that Christopher Columbus may have been a Sephardic Jew from the eastern Iberian Peninsula, rather than the traditionally accepted narrative of him being from Genoa, Italy. The film follows forensic medical expert José Antonio Lorente as he investigates various hypotheses regarding Columbus's origins, contrasting them with historical and scientific evidence. The documentary highlights the significant Jewish population in Spain during Columbus's time, estimated at around 200,000, compared to only 10,000 to 15,000 in Italy. It also discusses the expulsion of Jews from Genoa in the 12th century and the broader context of religious persecution faced by Jews and Muslims under the Catholic monarchs during the Spanish Inquisition. Despite the compelling narrative presented in the documentary, many in the scientific community have expressed skepticism about Lorente's methods and the lack of peer-reviewed findings. Lorente himself has stated that the documentary is a film and not a scientific publication, promising that scientific findings will be shared in the future. The evolving perception of Columbus's legacy is also addressed, as his actions are increasingly viewed as a starting point for a history of abuse against Indigenous communities. This shift in perspective coincides with Spain's national holiday, which commemorates Columbus's arrival in the Americas, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding his historical significance.