That idea about the British et al being the lost tribe of israel is quite old. (see the identity thread)
It comes from a time when the british ruled everything and could never work out why they were not the chosen people. Some groups even thought England
was originally "Israel".
The idea is immortalised in the wonderful poem by William Blake
And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic Mills?
Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my charriot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.
They don't make poetry as stirring as that any more

Its the sort of stuff you shout from the top of a hill....
[Edited on 21-11-2002 by Netchicken]
[Edited on 21-11-2002 by Netchicken]