• Source:JND
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The Bnei Menashe, a tribal community of about 5,000 people, which live in the state of Manipur and Mizoram wants to participate in Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza to safeguard their ‘promised land’. The Bnei Menashe tribe believes that they are the descendants of the Manasseh (one of the biblical lost tribes), who were exiled in 722 BC by Assyrian conquerors. They are known as the Bnei Menashe as it is Hebrew for the children of Manasseh, the first son of Joseph.  

The tribals want to connect with their ancestral roots and reunite with the land they were separated from over 2,700 years ago. Their wish to visit Israel has increased after the Middle-East country was attacked by the Hamas militant group on October 7, 2023.       

Due to their faith and beliefs which trace back to the biblical stories, the tribals think that it is their responsibility to defend Israel. These people from the northeastern states of Manipur and Mizoram are ready to join the Israeli army in the war, which has led to the killing of at least 26,900 people and injuring over 65,000 people.

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According to Christian scholar from Aizawl PC Biaksiama, who spoke to Al Jazeera, many people belonging to Chin, Kuki and Mizo ethnic groups believe themselves to be the descendants of the lost tribes of Israel. 

PC Biaksiama said that in ancient times, Israel split into two kingdoms. The Kingdom of Judah in the south consisted mainly of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, while the north had the 10 tribes that were known as the lost tribes. The Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom and forced the tribes to leave. He further stated they scattered and settled in various places around the world. The Bnei Menashe say that they went to China and then they visited northeast India, taking refuge from the Assyrians, as reported by Al Jazeera. 

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The Law of Return of Israel in 1950 gave Jews, people with a Jewish grandparent or their spouses the right to move to Israel and become citizens. It also made it possible to bring back the lost tribes.