Israel’s government approved restarting the immigration of the Bnei Menashe, an Indian tribe that claims Jewish ancestry, after a five-year gap.
Members of the group, who claim descent from the lost tribe of Menashe, must undergo a conversion process, even though it is accepted that they have Jewish roots.
The Cabinet on Oct. 25 voted to restart the tribe’s aliyah. A flight of more than 270 Bnei Menashe reportedly will arrive in the coming weeks, according to Army Radio.
Some 1,700 Bnei Menashe live in Israel, with as many as 9,000 remaining in India and Burma, according to the Times of Israel. — jta