Israel gives nod to 899 Indian Jews to immigrate

Israel has allowed 899 Indian Jews from Manipur and Mizoram,the members of the “lost” Bnei Menashe tribe,to immigrate to the Jewish state. The cabinet last week decided to allow the immigration of the Indian Bnei Menashe community to Israel in multiple groups with the first batch expected by the end of the year.

Bnei Menashe (literally sons of Menashe),a group of indigenous people from Northeastern border states of Manipur and Mizoram,trace their roots in one of the 10 “lost tribes” of Jews exiled by the Assyrian regime over 2,700 years ago. Michael Freund,the founder and chairman of the Shavei Israel organisation that lobbied for their ‘aliyah’ (immigration),said he wishes to see the entire community come to Israel soon.