More than 250 members of the Bnei Menashe community from India arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday, April 23, 2026, as part of a government operation to bring them to Israel. The group, which claims descent from the biblical tribe of Menashe, landed in the evening and was greeted by officials from the Jewish Agency and the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration.
The newcomers, who had traveled from the northeastern Indian states of Manipur and Mizoram, underwent immigration processing at the airport before being taken to absorption centers. The operation is part of a broader effort to relocate the remaining Bnei Menashe community to Israel, with several thousand still in India.
The Bnei Menashe community has been recognized by Israel's Chief Rabbinate as descendants of the lost tribe of Menashe, and many have undergone conversion to Judaism. The group's immigration has been facilitated by organizations like Shavei Israel, which works to strengthen ties with descendants of Jews.
This arrival follows previous operations that have brought thousands of Bnei Menashe to Israel over the past two decades. The Israeli government has committed to bringing the remaining community members, though the timeline depends on funding and logistical considerations.
