Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ratified a proposal to start efforts for moving Bnei Menashe Jews to the country from northeast India by 2030. This affirmation comes amidst ongoing ethnic conflicts in the states of Manipur and Mizoram.
A cabinet resolution of the government of Israel has approved the immigration of 1200 members of the said Jewish community by 2026-end. Another 5800 immigrants will arrive in Israel before the decade ends, reported The Times of Israel.
Who are the Bnei Menashe Jews?
The Bnei Menashe Jews, also known as 'Shinlung' in India, reside near the border of India and Myanmar. They are thought to be descendants of the 'Ten Lost Tribes of Israel', who were exiled from the Kingdom of Israel, following the conquering of the kingdom by the Neo-Assyrian Empire in the 6th century. Around ten thousand members of the community reside in India.
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The Jewish Agency of Israel will be managing the entire immigration process, in coordination with several other Jewish bodies. Israel had settled the initial immigrants in the West Bank primarily, after which they were sent to towns close to Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus Christ.
Currently, some 2500 Bnei Menashe Jews live in Israel, and a large portion of young members from the community serve in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
The Government of India is actively working with it's Israeli counterparts to put the plan to effect. The Netanyahu administration is expected to allocate around $27 million to pay for the absorption of the first wave of immigrants.
