Bnei Menashe Community in Israel Fear for Safety of Fellow Members Caught in Ethnic Violence in Manipur

The Bnei Menashe community in Israel, a small Indian-Jewish sub-community, is concerned about the safety of their fellow community members in Manipur, India, who have been caught in ethnic violence in recent months. The

Bnei Menashe claim to be descendants of the biblical Israelite tribe of Menashe, part of the 'Ten Lost Tribes of Israel' that were exiled by the Assyrian king Sennacherib in the 8th century BCE. This claim has been a subject of interest among Jewish scholars and Christian missionaries, with other South Asian ethnic groups like the Pashtuns and Kashmiris sharing similar beliefs.

Rabbi Eliyahu Avihail, a prominent figure in the search for the Lost Tribes, managed to establish a connection with the Bnei Menashe community in Manipur, specifically among the Kuki Mizo tribes.

He convinced the Israeli Chief Rabbinate to recognize them as practicing Jews, allowing them to immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return. As a result, around half of the Bnei Menashe community now resides in Israel. In light of the ongoing violence in Manipur, Yitzhak Thangjom, a community leader and Executive Director of Degel Menashe, an NGO assisting in the integration of the Bnei Menashe, is focused on providing relief to the affected community members.

They are providing food and working to gather funds for medical assistance. Thangjom hopes that the Israeli government will grant immigration visas to the remaining community members in Manipur.

He acknowledges that India has not prevented their immigration to Israel, but suggests that the Israeli government has other interests in India that may be influencing their decision.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assured the Bnei Menashe community that they are aware of the situation and are closely monitoring developments through their diplomatic mission in Delhi.

They are also in contact with both the community and the Indian government. Overall, it is a challenging time for the Bnei Menashe community as they navigate the impact of ethnic violence in Manipur and work towards ensuring the safety and well-being of their members. The support and assistance of both the Israeli and Indian governments will be crucial in this process.