Full Breakdown
Operation Wings of Dawn Brings First Bnei Menashe Immigrants to Israel
4/25/2026, 7:08:44 AM
Arrival at Ben Gurion Airport
On the night of 23 April 2026, a flight carrying 240–250 Bnei Menashe immigrants touched down at Ben Gurion Airport. A blue-and-white balloon arch, Israeli flags and the song “Oseh Shalom” greeted them as they walked a red-carpeted runway. Immigration Minister Ofir Sofer and officials received the group, marking the first arrival under “Operation Wings of Dawn.”
Historical Roots and Migration Narrative
The Bnei Menashe claim descent from the tribe of Manasseh, one of Ten Lost Tribes exiled in 720 BCE. Their history describes a trek through Persia, Afghanistan, Tibet and China. Missionaries later converted many to Christianity in Mizoram and Manipur. 4,000 have immigrated since the 1990s; 7,000 remain in India.
Relocation Plan and Demographic Targets
November 2024 legislation backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister Ofir Sofer and Bezalel Smotrich aims to relocate the remaining Bnei Menashe—estimated 4,800-6,000—by 2030. The plan targets 1,200 immigrants per year, with 600 scheduled for the first two weeks of April 2026. Arrivals will first settle in an absorption center in Nof HaGalil, which hosts about 1,500 families.
Official Statements & Responses
Minister Ofir Sofer called the landing “a historic moment” and said the operation will enable the community to immigrate at 1,200 per year. Jewish Agency Chairman Doron Almog described aliyah as Israel’s growth engine and each new immigrant a lighthouse of hope. Officials from the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, Foreign Ministry and Conversion Authority attended.
Personal Accounts from New Immigrants
Seventy-one-year-old Dagan Zolat, who moved to Israel in 2006, hugged a friend he had not seen in nine years, saying, “This man is like a brother to me.” Seventeen-year-old Amos Namte, of Bnei Menashe parents, expressed excitement about reuniting with his friend and preparing for military service, noting his fluency in Hebrew. Families arrived exhausted but joyful, shedding tears.
Challenges, Conversion Requirement, and Gaps
All newcomers must convert to Judaism before obtaining Israeli citizenship, a cultural hurdle. Sources disagree on the total to be relocated—estimates range from 4,800 to 6,000—and on first-flight size (240, 250, or “over 250”). Ethnic clashes in Manipur, which have killed over 250 people, heighten the urgency of relocation and raise long-term integration concerns.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are making history when we bring the entire Bnei Menashe community to Israel,” — Ofir Sofer, Minister of Aliyah and Integration
- “Aliyah is the State of Israel’s growth engine, and every new oleh is a lighthouse of hope,” — Doron Almog, Jewish Agency Chairman
- “This man is like a brother to me, I haven’t seen him in nine years,” — Dagan Zolat, immigrant
- “I’m very excited to see how he’s grown, what he looks like, acts like,” — Amos Namte, 17-year-old student
Outlook and Integration Plans
The government will continue flights through 2026, aiming for full relocation by 2030. Absorption centers in Nof HaGalil will provide housing, language instruction and employment support, while the Conversion Authority oversees the required religious conversion. Ongoing monitoring will address integration challenges and ensure long-term stability.
