The indigenous Bnei Menashe people, who claim descent
from one of the "lost tribes of Israel," live in the restive
northeastern Indian states of Manipur and Mizoram. Many of them say they
want to immigrate to Israel.
Conversions
India's Bnei Menashe community is comprised of the Mizo, Kuki and
Chin peoples, who speak Tibeto-Burman languages. Their ancestors are
believed to have settled in northeast India around 6,000 years ago. They
converted to Christianity in the 19th century.
