Around 250 jews of the Bnei Menashe community from northeast India have arrived in Israel as part of a larger plan by the Israeli government to bring the remaining members of the group to the country. This marks the first batch to reach Israel since the government announced in November last year that it would support the immigration of thousands more over the next five years.
First group arrives under new relocation plan
The group landed on Thursday, 23rd April, in what officials described as the beginning of a renewed effort to bring the community to Israel. The Bnei Menashe are a group of people in parts of Manipur and Mizoram who claim that they belong to the ancient biblical tribe of Manasseh.
Their migration to Israel is not new. Since the 1990s, members of the community have been gradually moving to Israel in small groups. So far, about 4,000 members of the community have managed to find their way to Israel, but another 6,000 are still hopeful of relocating.
When the latest group arrived, they were welcomed with celebrations at the airport. Men wore traditional hand-knit kippas, while women covered their heads as per their customs. Members of the community who are already living in Israel greeted them with cheers and emotional reunions.
The Israeli government intends to transport another 1,200 members of the same community to Israel in 2026 under a programme called “Operation Wings of Dawn.” According to media reports, two other planes will land in the following weeks.
Government support and coordination
Transportation and settlement of the new community members have been organised by several Israeli agencies, such as the Jewish Agency, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, and the Population and Immigration Authority.
The operation requires substantial funding. The government has allocated a budget of 90 million shekels for the move. This amount would be used for transportation, accommodation, teaching of the Hebrew language, and various services for the new arrivals. New arrivals will also go through conversion classes as part of the process.
Debate over identity and history
The identity of the Bnei Menashe community has been a subject of debate for many years. In 2005, Shlomo Amar, then Chief Rabbi of the Sephardi community, recognised them as “descendants of Israel.” This recognition helped clear the path for their migration.
The community believes it is linked to one of the ten lost tribes of Israel, which were exiled by the Assyrians nearly 2,700 years ago. According to their oral traditions, their ancestors travelled across regions like Persia, Afghanistan, Tibet, and China before eventually settling in northeast India.
Over time, many members of the community were converted to Christianity by missionaries. As a result, those migrating to Israel are required to formally convert to Judaism before becoming full citizens.
Law of Return: The legal basis for migration
Israel’s immigration of Jewish communities has been enabled through the Law of Return. The law was enacted in 1950 by the Israeli parliament. Through this law, all Jews have the legal entitlement to enter Israel as immigrants and acquire citizenship. Any Jewish person who wants to immigrate to Israel is able to seek an “oleh” visa, which will be issued as long as it does not raise security or public health issues.
This legislation also applies to Jews who come to Israel and want to stay there permanently, enabling them to be recognised by the state. In addition, amendments were adopted in 1954 and 1970, which expanded and clarified these provisions. Overall, the Law of Return remains a key legal framework that enables Jewish communities around the world, including groups like the Bnei Menashe, to return and build a life in Israel.
