Brethren with a Palestinian

On my way to the Hanukkah party at B&B, walking from a Gospel Choir Concert (perfect order, eh?) I had to get some snacks and drinks at a small store. When I entered stale air, alcoholic customers and dubious price tags awaited. Having grabbed a bottle of mineral water and spotting a mediocre Spanish wine (the best they seemed to have on offer) I asked the shopkeeper where he was from. (While nice Arabic music was playing in the background). He told he was a Palestinian and straightaway shot out - where are YOU from? I said I'm a Jew. (Could have said Jewish Christian as I think of it now) He asked my name and claimed he had suspected that (I was Jewish) and was disappointed I wasn't called Sarai or sth similar. He also inquired whether I'm fully Jew which of course I had to admit that indeed I am not. The whole time he smiled like crazy and said that we are brethren after all. I left shaking my head and also smiling like crazy. We are brethren. Maybe we should send him to work on Palestinian-Israeli relations.