I don't think anyone ever called Spanish almost Semitic.
Taza, guitarra, almohada, albañil, algebra, elíxir, tamarindo, fulano, alfombra, acimut, cenit, café, azúcar, naranja, azar, ajedrez, arsenal, aceite, alcohol, arroba, azulejo, alberca, cero, etc.
And also several toponyms, the most famous probably being Andalucía.
I don't think anyone ever called Spanish almost Semitic.