Thousands of Indian Jews head to Israel, despite discrimination  

Israel late last year approved the immigration of more people from India who identify as members of the lost biblical tribe of Menashe. 

Demography seems to be playing a role in the project. Their absorption centre will be in the Galilee, home to a large Arab population that successive Israeli governments have sought to counterbalance. 

But for the Bnei Menashe already in Israel, this step is about reunification with their immediate relatives who are back in northeast India, many of whom have been waiting long years to move. 

“Unifying families is the most important thing so that you won’t have part of the family here and part left behind in India,” said Rabbi David Lhungdim, who leads the community in the southern town of Sderot near the border with Gaza.  

There are 5,800 Bnei Menashe expected to come to Israel over the next four years, more than doubling the population already in Israel.  

Among them is Rabbi Lunghdim’s younger brother who has been waiting since 2007, when he was not deemed eligible. The government and Jewish Agency have replaced private organisations in running the effort and have  promised to prioritise family reunion.