Around 600 Bnei Menashe from Mizoram and Manipur Set to Migrate to Israel by February

Aizawl/Imphal:

Around 600 members of the Bnei Menashe community from Mizoram and Manipur — who identify as descendants of the biblical Tribe of Manasseh, one of Israel’s “lost tribes” — are preparing to migrate to Israel by February next year, according to community leaders.

Speaking to reporters, community leader Jeremiah L. Hnamte confirmed that 300 people from Mizoram and another 300 from Manipur are completing preparations for the journey under Israel’s Aliyah (Return to Zion) programme.

Hnamte, an entrepreneur who runs a bamboo-based industry in Aizawl’s Zuangtui locality, said he and his spouse will be part of the group leaving next year.

“Our children are already in Israel. They miss us. We will reunite with them soon,” he said.

More community members from both states are expected to migrate later in 2026, he added.

Over the past years, more than 2,000 Bnei Menashe from Mizoram have already resettled in Israel.

Israel’s Plan to Absorb 6,000 Bnei Menashe by 2030

The latest migration comes after the Israeli government approved a plan to bring nearly 6,000 Bnei Menashe to Israel by 2030. Under the move, most new arrivals will be settled in the Galilee region of northern Israel, an area impacted by tensions with Hezbollah.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the decision as “important and Zionist,” stating that strengthening Israel’s northern population is a strategic priority.

Support for New Immigrants

The Israeli government will provide the newcomers with:

• Financial assistance

• Hebrew language training

• Job placement support

• Temporary housing

• Social integration programmes

A Community Reconnecting with Ancient Roots

The Bnei Menashe, largely from tribal communities in Mizoram and Manipur, practiced Christianity for generations before embracing Judaism. Today, they observe Jewish festivals, dietary laws, and synagogue traditions while residing in Northeast India.

Israel formally recognised the community in 2005, and in 2006, the first major batch of 218 members was resettled in Nazareth Illit and Karmiel. Migration increased steadily after 2012, and by late 2023, around 5,000 members had relocated to Israel.

With the upcoming movement, the community’s dream of reuniting with relatives already in the “promised land” is set to continue into the next decade.