Context
Amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia and India’s advisory on the security situation in Israel, the issue gained attention when Israel airlifted around 240 individuals from Mizoram to Tel Aviv as part of ‘Operation Wings of Dawn’.
About Bnei Menashe
- The Bnei Menashe, known as Shinlung in India, are an ethnic community primarily located in Mizoram and Manipur in northeast India.
- A considerable number of them have moved to Israel over time & obtained citizenship there.
- The community has an estimated population of about 10,000 people and is part of Tibeto-Burman groups such as the Chin, Kuki, and Mizo.
- They identify themselves as descendants of the tribe of Manasseh, one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel believed to have been exiled in 722 BC.
- Research indicates that their ancestors likely arrived in India around 300–500 years ago.
- Although many were previously Christians, they now follow Jewish beliefs and traditions.
- They observe Jewish festivals like Sukkot and practice various aspects of Judaism in daily life.
- It is believed their ancestors travelled through regions such as Persia, Afghanistan, Tibet, and China before settling in northeast India.
- Interaction with Israel and global Jewish communities in the 1980s helped strengthen their adoption of modern Jewish religious practices.
Operation Wings of Dawn
- In 2025, the Israeli government initiated ‘Operation Wings of Dawn’ to support the relocation of remaining members of the Bnei Menashe community to Israel.
- The programme offers assistance such as travel arrangements, conversion to Judaism, housing support, and Hebrew language training.
- Under the current plan, nearly 1,200 people are expected to move to Israel by the end of 2026.
- A follow-up phase, targeted for completion by 2030, aims to bring another 4,600 individuals, completing the migration of the entire community.
