Israel is bringing a community from the edge of India, considered one of the 'lost tribes' of Israel. At the same time, the issue of labor is being resolved
An extraordinary story of a modern-day "exodus" is unfolding on the border of India and Myanmar: members of the Bnei Menashe community, who consider themselves one of the ten lost tribes of Israel, are leaving their bamboo huts for a life in their historical homeland.
Archive photo. Representatives of the Bnei Menashe community at Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv). October 13, 2021. Photo: Ilia Yefimovich / picture alliance via Getty Images
In a remote settlement in northeastern India, near the border with Myanmar, where a subtropical climate prevails and bamboo huts stand, people study the Torah, pray, and try to preserve Jewish traditions. They are less concerned with the historical accuracy of their origin than with preserving their faith.
Members of the Bnei Menashe community believe they are descendants of Manasseh — a king of Judea, exiled approximately 2800 years ago, and that their ancestors journeyed through Asia until they settled in the jungles, more than 5700 kilometers from Israel.
The New York Times introduces the details of this story and the large-scale repatriation.
Anthropologists are skeptical about the legend of the Menashe's origin. The Menashe belong to the Kuki people; their languages are part of the Tibeto-Burman group, and their roots trace back to regions of modern-day China. Most Kukis adopted Christianity in the early 20th century under the influence of American missionaries.
Nevertheless, as the authors note, in the 1970s, Israeli anthropologists drew attention to the similarity of some local traditions to Jewish ones: songs, legends of the Exodus from Egypt, and even cries during natural disasters resembling the word "Manasseh." Since then, this community has begun to be perceived as one of the "lost tribes."
W.L. Hangshing, head of the Bnei Menashe Council of India, admits that there is little scientific evidence. But, as he asserts, this is not surprising: "We are called a lost tribe — and lost means lost." Attempts to find genetic confirmation, in his opinion, are meaningless: "Only God can do that."
Although the evidence of their origin appears debatable, Israel is ready to accept them "home," but with one condition: upon arrival in the country, they must undergo *giyur* — an official conversion ceremony to Judaism — to resolve all questions regarding their status.
As NYT writes, today there are about 10,000 Bnei Menashe representatives in total — they live in the Indian states of Manipur and Mizoram, as well as in Israel, where almost half of the community has relocated since the 1990s. Some of the first settlers ended up, in particular, in Hebron on the West Bank and in Israeli settlements in Gaza (until 2005).
Last November, the Israeli government agreed to help the remaining 5800 members of the community move to the country. This will happen by 2030, with 1200 moving this year, covering part of the costs themselves. As part of Operation "Wings of Dawn," Israeli authorities will organize a flight for approximately 250 people via Delhi to Tel Aviv at the end of April.
Israel's motivation in this matter has not only a religious but also a pragmatic component. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls the support for this emigration "an important Zionist decision," which will help strengthen the north of the country and Galilee — regions suffering from shelling by "Hezbollah."
In addition, Israel is in urgent need of labor. The war, which began after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, has led to the mobilization of a significant part of the population, the outflow of migrants from Nepal and Thailand, and a ban on work for Palestinians.
Most Menashe in India are engaged in agriculture or work as day laborers, while in Israel they often become drivers, construction workers, or factory workers. The transition from an agrarian life to a high-tech society, as noted by Jessica Thangjom, a representative of the community, is far from simple.
Archive photo. Relatives greet migrants from the Bnei Menashe community at Ben Gurion Airport (Tel Aviv). December 24, 2012. Photo: Uriel Sinai / Getty Images
The settlers themselves are driven by both spiritual and social reasons. In Manipur, the Menashe live in very modest conditions: the average per capita income there is only about $1200 per year, whereas in Israel this figure exceeds $55,000. However, they name religion as the main incentive. In the Indian jungles, it is difficult for them to observe all the commandments of Judaism, find enough people for prayers (minyan), or buy kosher products.
As NYT notes, the internal situation in Manipur also pushes people to leave. Since 2023, the state has been engulfed in a fierce ethnic conflict between the Kuki people (to whom the Menashe belong) and the Meitei ethnic majority. This war has already led to numerous casualties, the destruction of homes, and the emergence of inaccessible closed zones.
Despite Israel itself being in a state of constant tension and war, many members of the community are ready to go there at any cost.
"We believe in the Torah. We fully trust the Israeli government. They have promised that all Bnei Menashe will move to Israel by 2030. We all already have our passports ready," the publication quotes one of the community representatives.
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