ICEJ and the new wave of Bnei Menashe’s return to Zion
Howard Flower,
ICEJ Aliyah Director
“Then fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the LORD, nor be dismayed, O Israel; for behold, I will save you from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity.” Jeremiah 30:10
Nearly 22,000 new immigrants arrived in 2025.
Some of the last immigrants in 2025 were two ICEJ sponsored Ethiopian families, one of 6 and one of 5. The eldest is the 51-year-old father and the youngest is the little 3-year-old. All from Gondar. The $1,600 for each person covered ground transportation from Gondar to the airport, the flight itself and urgent and immediate integration needs.
Significant and sustained growth in immigration to Israel from Western countries revealed by Israeli data, represents a notable shift in global Aliyah patterns. France being the single largest source of Western Aliyah.
“Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.”
Bringing the offspring home will continue in 2026.
An Historic Decision
In late November, the Israeli government made a decision that will forever change the lives of more than 5,000 people of Israelite descent living in the remote hills of northeastern India.
In an historic move, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet approved a five-year plan to complete the Aliyah of the Bnei Menashe community—descendants of the ancient Israelite tribe of Manasseh who have kept their Jewish identity alive for 2,700 years of exile.
“An important and Zionist decision that will also lead to the strengthening of the north and the Galilee,” declared Prime Minister Netanyahu, as the new immigrants will settle primarily in northern cities.
For the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, which has sponsored Aliyah flights for nearly half of all Bnei Menashe immigrants since 2012, this announcement represents the fulfilment of decades of prayer, advocacy and practical support. It is also a powerful reminder that God’s promises to “bring your descendants from the east” (Isaiah 43:5) continue to unfold in our generation.
A Community’s Long Journey
The Bnei Menashe story reads like a biblical epic. Their oral traditions trace their ancestors back to the Assyrian exile of 722 BCE, when the northern tribes of Israel were scattered across the ancient Near East. Over the centuries, many migrated eastward along the Silk Road, eventually settling in what is now the Indian states of Manipur and Mizoram.
Despite isolation and wanderings, they preserved remarkable Jewish traditions: a day of rest similar to Shabbat, abstention from pork, ritual sacrifice, and an annual festival that involves abstaining from leavened bread. Most poignantly, they kept alive the “Sikpui Hla,” an ancient song describing a crossing of the sea, pursuing enemies, and a pillar of fire—details strikingly parallel to the Exodus narrative in the Bible. In 2005, Israel’s Chief Rabbinate officially recognised the Bnei Menashe as having Israelite descent. Since then, approximately 4,000 have made Aliyah, with another 5,800 waiting in India – until now.
ICEJ’s Partnership Through Crisis
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ICEJ sponsored flights for 131 out of 274 Bnei Menashe brought to Israel – often under challenging circumstances. When immigrants were stranded in New Delhi after testing positive for the coronavirus, ICEJ donors provided housing, food, and medical care for families who had already sold their homes and businesses and were enroute to Israel. This demonstrated the Christian commitment to stand with the Jewish people in their return.
Why It Matters
The Bnei Menashe have proven themselves loyal and productive citizens of Israel. Many serve in the IDF with distinction; several have received the President’s Medal of Excellence for military service. They bring strong family values, a solid work ethic, and deep loyalty to the Jewish state.
Since 2023, the Bnei Menashe remaining in Manipur have been caught in severe ethnic violence between local tribal peoples. Approximately 1,000 community members were displaced, with homes and synagogues destroyed. Many now live in refugee camps, facing what community leaders call “a blank future”. The government’s decision transforms their despair into hope.
As this five-year project begins, we invite you to stand with us in bringing these last “descendants from the east” home to Israel. Your support can sponsor flights, provide absorption assistance, and help families reunite after years of separation.
Donate today at:
There’s an App for That:
The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem was recently selected by The Jewish Agency For Israel to be its exclusive partner in the development of “AliyaApp,” a revolutionary digital platform designed to be the primary tool to help new Jewish immigrants navigate every stage of their Aliyah journey to Israel.
Among its features, AliyApp connects prospective new Jewish immigrants with volunteer Israeli “guides” who share their language, culture and interests, offering practical advice, social connection, and community support. By providing a human bridge as well as essential services and resources, the new app is designed to ensure that each immigrant feels welcomed, informed and empowered. The ICEJ and Jewish Agency officially launched this innovative online platform during Israeli Guest Night at the Feast of Tabernacles in October, with over 1700 Israelis and Christian visitors in attendance.
