Around 250 members of B’nei Menashe community from Manipur and Mizoram recently arrived in Tel Aviv under an official relocation programme supported by the Israeli government. This marks the first such batch under state-backed resettlement, indicating a new phase in migration, with more groups expected to follow.
The community, numbering about 7,000 people, is primarily drawn from Mizo and Kuki tribes of Northeast India and claims descent from one of “Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.” Migration to Israel has been ongoing since the 1990s, but this initiative represents a more structured governmental approach.
The ‘Lost Tribes of Israel’ and B’nei Menashe Claim
The origins of this claim trace back to 722 BCE, when Assyrian conquest of Israel led to the exile of ten tribes from northern Israel– Reuben, Simeon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, and Manasseh. Over time, these tribes came to be known as the “Lost Tribes of Israel.”
- Jewish communities worldwide have long searched for their descendants, including in the Indian subcontinent.
- The B’nei Menashe claim descent specifically from the tribe of Manasseh, hence their name meaning “sons of Manasseh.”
- According to their oral tradition, their ancestors migrated eastward through Persia (modern Iran) and Afghanistan before settling in Northeast India.
Interestingly, the belief in Jewish ancestry gained momentum after conversion to Christianity, which introduced biblical narratives that shaped their historical identity.
Evolution of Identity: From Christianity to Judaism
The transformation of the B’nei Menashe identity is closely linked to 19th-century Protestant missionary activity in Northeast India.
- Missionaries introduced Bible, and pre-existing beliefs in messianic figures facilitated the spread of Christianity.
- Christian revivalist movements (1930s–1960s) and regional unrest encouraged communities to reinterpret their identity.
Turning Point
A decisive moment came in 1951, when Mizo mystic Challianthanga (Mela Chala) claimed a vision revealing that Mizo, Kuki, and Chin tribes were descendants of ancient Israelites.
- This triggered a shift towards Jewish identity.
- From the late 1970s, a structured movement towards Judaism emerged, involving research, outreach, and growing engagement with Jewish communities.
Role of Israeli Support and Organisations
The transformation and migration were supported by institutions and organisations:
- Amishav played a key role in facilitating religious transformation and connections with Israel.
- The Mizo Israel Zionist Organization (1974) institutionalised efforts to reconnect with Jewish heritage.
- By the 1980s, many community members had formally adopted Judaism, although a significant number still remain Christian.
Recognition, Migration, and Challenges
Efforts to establish links with Israel included highlighting oral traditions and cultural practices.
- In 2005, the Chief Rabbinate of Israel recognised the B’nei Menashe as the “Lost Seed of Israel.”
- However, genetic studies, including those by Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, remained inconclusive, leaving the scientific basis unresolved.
Migration Policy Developments
- Israel allowed gradual migration in small batches, sometimes pausing the process.
- In November 2025, Israel approved funding to relocate nearly 5,000 B’nei Menashe members, marking a major step in formal resettlement.
Challenges
- Migrants often face racial discrimination and integration issues in Israel.
- Differences in physical features, language, and cultural practices create barriers in assimilation.
Other ‘Lost Tribes’ Claims in India
- Another group, the B’nei Ephraim, claims descent from the tribe of Ephraim.
- They believe their ancestors reached India via Central Asia about 1,000 years ago.
- Largely belonging to the Dalit community, their claim is sometimes interpreted as a means to:
- Challenge caste discrimination
- Seek social mobility
- Gain recognition from global Jewish communities