Mizo Israelis in Lebanon conflict

Aizawl, July 31 (UNI) About nine persons from Mizoram were reported to be in the Israel army engaged in Lebanon war.

It was also reported that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had told Shavei Israel, an organization dedicated to search their lost tribes, that these people would be given the status of 'oleh' which means one who has moved to the country in order to get the ancestral right.

The immigrants from Manipur and Mizoram had been moved with the belief that they are one of the lost ten tribes of Israel and have descended either from Manashe or Ephraim, the two sons of Biblical Joseph.

About 800 people from these two states have moved to Israel and few have already been accorded Israeli citizenship through 'oleh', while many are still waiting for the process.

In May 2005, an orthodox religious group, Sephardic, had recognised the Mizos as the descendants of Manashe with the title of ''Bnei Manashe'' which means sons of Manashe.

UNI SNR MIR VP1158