Shockley
Maester
Contrary I could say that anyone who seriously asserts that the ancient Egyptians were "Semitic" (assuming you mean Middle Eastern) can't be taken seriously, because the ancient Egyptian language was not a "Semitic" language.
What do you mean 'assuming I mean' Middle Eastern? If you're trying to imply that there is a distinct difference between Jews, Arabs, Assyrians, and most people living in the Middle East and Semitic peoples, you are very mistaken.
As to your language point, ancient Egyptian is classified as a Hamito-Semitic language. This is sometimes rendered as Afroasiatic, depending on the time frame of the article your referencing, but the connection between the groups has always been a well understood facet of linguistics.
Even if the Egyptians didn't speak a Semitic language, that would not mean they weren't a Semitic people. The national language of Ethiopia (Ethiopians being non-Semitic) is Amharic (which is a Semitic language).