Page "Israelites" Paragraph 48

During the Jewish diaspora, Jews who lived in Christian Europe were often attacked by the local population, and were often forced to convert to Christianity.

Many, known as " Anusim " (' forced-ones '), continued practicing Judaism in secret while living outwardly as ordinary Christians.

The best known Anusim communities were the Jews of Spain and Jews of Portugal, although they existed throughout Europe.

In the years since the rise of the Islamic religion, many Jews living in Muslim countries were forced to convert to Islam, such as the Mashhad Jews of Persia, who continued to practice Judaism in secret and eventually made an Aliyah ( return to Israel ).

Many Anusim's descendants left Judaism over the years.

The results of a study of the genetics of the Iberian Peninsula released in December 2008 " attest to a high level of religious conversion ( whether voluntary or enforced ) driven by historical episodes of religious intolerance, which ultimately led to the integration of descendants.