The Bnei Menashe (also spelled Bene Menashe) community emerged in the 1950s as a result of a Judaizing movement among the Kuki-Zo-Mizo tribes of the North-East Indian states of Manipur and Mizoram. They trace their ancestry from the Lost Israelite tribe of Manasseh (based on their ancestral figure Manasia or Manmasi). Since the 1980s, many among them have made Aliyah to Israel aided by Amishav (and later Shavei Israel since the mid-2000s). The 10,000-strong community is almost equally divided between Israel and India. In India, the Bnei Menashe (due to their Kuki ethnicity) have been caught up in the Meitei-Kuki violent conflict in the state of Manipur since May 2023 with a couple of them being killed. Their brothers and sisters in Israel are currently bolstering the country’s fight against Hamas and Hezbollah (also spelled Hizbollah) militants, and in the recent conflict against Iran. The Bnei Menashe tradition of serving Israel stretches back to their arrival in the country in the 1990s. In 2006, Tamir Baite, serving with the elite Shaked unit of the IDF’s Givati Brigade, was among the 120 Israelis honored as outstanding soldiers.

Operation Wings of Dawn: In November 2025, the government of Israel permitted the emigration of the entire community in India to Israel. On April 23, 2026, about 250 Bnei Menashe community members reached Israel under ‘Operation Wings of Dawn.‘ Unlike the previous migrations, which were mostly sponsored by Israel-based organizations or the community members themselves, this time it’s largely funded by the Israeli government. As they set foot in Ben Gurion Airport, waving Israeli flags and singing Hebrew songs, they were warmly welcomed by their community members already settled in Israel.

Witnessing the October 7 Attacks: During the surprise Hamas attacks, on the early morning of October 7, in Sderot, the Bnei Menashe residents of the town were caught unaware. Although the community miraculously suffered no casualties, a couple (Zevulon Guite and Zivka Guite) lost their home to Hamas rockets. 71-year-old Yaacov Tuboi termed it “the scariest experience“ of his life. He could only helplessly watch the attack by automatic-rifle-armed Hamas terrorists unfold from his apartment windows. He saw about ten of them getting out from a pickup truck and heading towards the nearby police station. He even witnessed the terrorists taking two young kids (not more than 3-4 years) as hostages. Unlike Tuboi, other Bnei........

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