DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇱 Israel /Culture & Society

Entire Bnei Menashe community to immigrate to Israel within five years, gov't promises

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The Israeli government has approved a plan to immigrate the entire 6,000-person Bnei Menashe community from Northeast India to Israel within five years.
  • Approximately 1,200 members of the community are expected to arrive by the end of 2026, with around 600 having already arrived this year.
  • The Aliyah and Integration Ministry is establishing an absorption center to assist the new immigrants with language, education, employment, and housing.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that Israel intends to bring the entire 6,000-person Bnei Menashe community from Northeast India to Israel over the next four years. The government has approved a proposal to facilitate this immigration, with a significant portion of the community expected to arrive soon.

We are going to bring the entire community to Israel over the next four years. You are an inseparable part of the Jewish People, and Israel is your home. I wish you a successful absorption and great success in the Galilee and in Nof Hagalil. Welcome back home to the State of Israel.

— Benjamin NetanyahuWelcoming new immigrants from the Bnei Menashe community and outlining the plan for their community's immigration.

Since the beginning of 2026, approximately 600 new immigrants from the Bnei Menashe community, who reside in India's Manipur and Mizoram states, have already made Aliyah. An additional 600 are projected to arrive by the end of this year. The approved proposal aims to complete the immigration of the entire community within approximately five years.

After years of strengthening the bond between Israel and India, thanks to the warm relationship with my friend Narendra Modi, I am thrilled to see the Bnei Menashe returning home.

— Benjamin NetanyahuHighlighting the diplomatic relationship that facilitated the immigration.

"We are going to bring the entire community to Israel over the next four years. You are an inseparable part of the Jewish People, and Israel is your home," Netanyahu stated during a welcome event for the latest arrivals. He emphasized the strong bond between Israel and India, attributing its strengthening to his relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This moving event here is clear evidence of the fulfillment of the prophetic vision of the Return to Zion in our generation.

— Bezalel SmotrichDescribing the immigration as a fulfillment of religious prophecy.

Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer described the event as "deeply moving" and highlighted the inauguration of the Tavor absorption center. This center, created in cooperation with the Jewish Agency and the Nof Hagalil municipality, will provide essential support services, including Hebrew language instruction, integration into the education and job markets, and housing assistance for the immigrants. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich expressed his excitement, calling the decision "historic" and a fulfillment of a "prophetic vision of the Return to Zion."

You are an inseparable and essential part of the fabric of Jewish life throughout the ages, and of Israeli society here today. We will continue to stand by your side, remove barriers, and ensure that every immigrant feels at home, takes root, and integrates into the action and building of the land. Welcome back home.

— Bezalel SmotrichReassuring the immigrants of continued support and integration into Israeli society.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog