Around 240 Indians with biblical tribe roots arrive in Tel Aviv
Around 240 Indians with biblical tribe roots arrive in Tel Aviv
Indians claiming descent from a biblical tribe land in Tel Aviv as part of a government operation, welcomed with balloons and a traditional song.
Around 240 Indians claiming descent from a biblical tribe landed at Tel Aviv airport on Thursday as part of a government operation to relocate them to Israel. The newcomers passed under a balloon arch in blue and white, the colours of the Israeli flag, as dozens of well-wishers welcomed them with a traditional Jewish song.
The community, known as Bnei Menashe, holds that they are part of a lost tribe and have repeatedly sought recognition and resettlement in Israel. The current operation, Wings of Dawn, aims to bring members by 2030 and has seen prior waves from Manipur, where some families trace their ancestry to the ancient texts. The latest arrivals mark another step in long-running links between India and Israel and the ongoing process of integrating diaspora communities.
While the move is celebrated by supporters who view it as a bridge between cultures, it also arrives amid broader debates about identity, religion, and the paths chosen by those who journey to new homelands. The welcome in Tel Aviv reflected a mix of ceremonial pride and hopeful anticipation for new beginnings in a nation that has historically welcomed Jewish communities from around the world.
