Around 250 members of the Bnei Menashe community from Manipur and Mizoram have arrived in Israel under the government-backed initiative ‘Operation Wings of Dawn', marking the first phase of a larger relocation programme announced last year.
The initiative is part of Israel's broader plan to facilitate the immigration of the remaining members of the community over the next few years, with nearly 1,200 more expected to be brought in by 2026. Officials say the long-term goal is to enable the resettlement of the entire community.
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The Bnei Menashe, who claim descent from one of the biblical “lost tribes” of Israel, have been migrating to the country since the 1990s. More than 4,000 have already settled in Israel, while an estimated 6,000 are still awaiting relocation.
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Authorities said the resettlement process includes formal religious conversion, housing assistance and Hebrew language training to support integration into Israeli society.
The latest arrivals were flown to Israel via New Delhi, with officials describing the operation as the beginning of a phased effort to relocate the community in batches.
The Bnei Menashe trace their lineage to the tribe of Manasseh, believed to have been exiled in 722 BC. Over centuries, they are said to have migrated across regions including Persia, Central Asia and China before settling in India's Northeast.
Religion remains a key driver behind the migration. Community members cite limited access to Jewish religious infrastructure in remote hill areas of Manipur and Mizoram as a major constraint, along with challenges in maintaining traditional practices.
Israel's push to bring the community has also drawn attention to broader strategic and economic considerations. The country has faced labour shortages amid ongoing conflicts and a decline in foreign workers, and the relocation is expected to help fill gaps in sectors such as construction and services.
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Many earlier migrants from the community have taken up jobs in these sectors in Israel, earning significantly higher incomes than in India. However, integration challenges, including social discrimination and adapting to a technologically advanced society, have also been reported.
The new arrivals are expected to be settled in northern Israel, with officials stating that their presence will contribute to strengthening communities in the region.
For many in the Bnei Menashe community, the move represents both a religious aspiration and a search for improved living conditions, even as the transition comes with social and cultural adjustments.
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