(ISRAEL) Israel has approved a plan to bring the remaining 5,800 Bnei Menashe from northeastern India to the country by 2030, in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called “a significant Zionist decision that will strengthen the Galilee and the North.” The cabinet decision, passed on November 23, 2025, clears the way for the final members of the small community, often known as India’s “forgotten Jews,” to move to Israel after decades of pressure from advocates.
Arrival schedule and destinations
Under the plan, an initial group of 1,200 immigrants will arrive by the end of 2026, with about 4,600 more arriving by 2030. Most of the new arrivals are expected to settle in Nof HaGalil and other towns across northern Israel, especially in the Galilee.
The government says the move is part of a broader effort to build up the north through new residents, jobs, and housing while completing the long process of bringing the Bnei Menashe to Israel.
Quick timeline (at-a-glance)
| Milestone | Number/Details |
|---|---|
| Decision passed | November 23, 2025 |
| Arrivals by end of 2026 | 1,200 |
| Arrivals by 2030 | 4,600 |
| Total planned immigrants | 5,800 |
| Already immigrated over past two decades | ~4,000 |
Background: who are the Bnei Menashe?
The Bnei Menashe trace their roots to border areas of India, Myanmar, and Tibet, mainly in the Indian states of Manipur and Mizoram. They claim descent from the biblical tribe of Menashe (Manasseh), one of the so‑called Lost Tribes of Israel exiled more than two thousand years ago.
Over centuries the community adopted local languages and customs but kept stories of an ancient link to Israel. In the late twentieth century, some members began returning to Jewish practice, studying Hebrew, keeping Shabbat, and building synagogues.
Legal and religious process for aliyah
Because Israeli authorities require formal proof of Jewish status or conversion for aliyah, the Bnei Menashe have gone through Orthodox conversions overseen by the Chief Rabbinate.
Typical steps in their immigration process:
- Initial religious study and identification in India.
- Orthodox conversions conducted under Chief Rabbinate supervision.
- Arrival to absorption centers in Israel for continued study and official conversion (if needed).
- Processing by the Population and Immigration Authority for visas, status changes, and eventual citizenship.
Official details on immigration procedures are available at the Population and Immigration Authority.
Expect a phased intake: 1,200 by end-2026 and 4,600 by 2030. Plan for absorption centers with Hebrew classes, school enrollment, and job support in Galilee towns like Nof HaGalil.
Government coordination and responsibilities
The cabinet vote on November 23, 2025 followed months of talks among the Prime Minister’s Office, the Finance Ministry, and ministries in charge of immigration and regional development.
Netanyahu publicly thanked Immigration Minister Ofir Sofer, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Minister Ze’ev Elkin, who led the absorption and northern rehabilitation track.
“We are bringing home brothers and sisters who never stopped feeling tied to the people of Israel,” Netanyahu said in a statement after the vote.
Key agencies and roles:
- Nof HaGalil: Assigned a central role as a hub for earlier and upcoming arrivals. City officials expect several hundred new residents in the coming years.
- Northern Rehabilitation Directorate: Coordinates government investment in housing, infrastructure, and services for the region.
- Jewish Agency for Israel: Will manage and fund much of the preparation and travel—organizing Hebrew and Jewish studies courses in India, securing visas and travel documents, and chartering flights.
- Population and Immigration Authority: Handles visas, status changes, and citizenship procedures.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this plan fits a broader pattern of Israel running targeted programs to bring small, distinct communities with long historical or religious ties.
Absorption, housing, and services
The program is designed to integrate new arrivals with support services:
- Reception at absorption centers with Hebrew classes, job counseling, and help enrolling children in schools.
- Connection to existing Bnei Menashe neighborhoods, synagogues, and cultural networks—especially in Nof HaGalil, Migdal HaEmek, Kiryat Shmona, and Ma’alot.
- Government investment in housing, infrastructure, and social services via the Northern Rehabilitation Directorate.
Absorption experts emphasize clustering families to preserve community networks and ease adjustment. Supporters say clustering accelerates social integration; critics warn that concentrating poorer immigrant families in weaker northern municipalities could deepen social gaps without sustained state funding.
Community impact and reactions
Around 4,000 Bnei Menashe have already immigrated over the past two decades. For many families already in Israel, the new program is deeply personal: relatives still in India have waited years due to visa caps and delayed approvals.
One community organizer in Nof HaGalil, who arrived from Manipur more than a decade ago, said the announcement means relatives “will no longer live in limbo, always waiting for the next list and the next government decision.”
Officials stress the need to balance humanitarian goals, budget limits, and regional planning. Finance Minister Smotrich framed the decision as both social and economic, saying the arrival of young families in the Galilee would support schools, small businesses, and housing projects. Minister Elkin pushed to tie the program to jobs and public investments in the north.
Political and fiscal considerations
- No formal opposition parties in the Knesset have openly tried to block the plan.
- Some lawmakers raised questions about costs and priorities amid pressure on Israel’s health and education systems.
- Others asked whether the 5,800 cap could increase if more people claim Bnei Menashe identity.
Government officials insist the program is limited to a defined list built over years of community and consular checks.
Practical questions going forward
The government has not released a detailed year‑by‑year breakdown for the 5,800 expected immigrants. Officials say the 1,200 targeted for arrival by the end of 2026 will likely come in several flights rather than one large airlift.
Planned operational details:
- Several flights bringing cohorts of immigrants.
- Reception centers providing language, employment, and schooling assistance.
- Coordination with local municipalities to place families in housing and schools.
Past arrivals have often worked in factories, agriculture, and service jobs. Some younger members have moved into technology, education, and the army.
Human story and cultural integration
For many Bnei Menashe in Manipur and Mizoram, the decision is the culmination of a long journey. Community elders say they grew up praying for a return to Zion without knowing if it would happen.
Younger members already in Israel describe blending traditional Indian roots with new Israeli life—mixing songs and food with Hebrew studies, army service, and local sports clubs.
What to watch next
As flights start under the new plan, attention will focus on:
Stay aware of budget and housing capacity in the north. Clustering families helps networks, but sustained funding is crucial to prevent strains on schools, clinics, and public services.
- How quickly ministries release budgets for housing, language classes, and job support.
- Whether northern municipalities like Nof HaGalil can handle increased pressure on schools and health clinics.
- The effectiveness of clustering arrivals to support social integration without creating concentrated disadvantage.
For now, the government’s decision has given the Bnei Menashe a long-sought assurance: a firm promise that, within this decade, their entire recognized community will be living together in Israel.
On November 23, 2025, Israel approved bringing the remaining 5,800 Bnei Menashe from India by 2030. The plan schedules 1,200 arrivals by end-2026 and 4,600 more through 2030, focusing settlement in Nof HaGalil and northern towns. The Jewish Agency, Population and Immigration Authority, and regional bodies will coordinate conversions, visas, flights, and absorption services. Government investments will support housing, education and job placement, while officials monitor costs and municipal capacity in the Galilee.
