Netanyahu Welcomes Bnei Menashe Immigrants, Vows Major Boost for the Galilee

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed 650 new immigrants from the Bnei Menashe community in Nof HaGalil today, after they arrived in Israel over the past month as part of Operation “Wings of Dawn.”

The visit came alongside a special government meeting in the city, where Netanyahu linked aliyah, northern security and Galilee development as part of one national effort. Israeli media reported that the government is advancing a 3 billion shekel plan for seven northern cities.

The Bnei Menashe immigrants come from northeastern India, mainly the states of Mizoram and Manipur. Members of the community trace their roots to the tribe of Menashe and have been immigrating to Israel over the past two decades.

Nof HaGalil has become one of the main absorption centers for the community. According to Hebrew local coverage, more than 2,500 Bnei Menashe immigrants now live in the city.

“I came to tell you — welcome back home. This is your home. We are happy that you are here with us,” Netanyahu told the immigrants.

Operation “Wings of Dawn” is led by the Aliyah and Integration Ministry and the Jewish Agency, together with other government bodies. The broader plan is expected to bring about 1,200 Bnei Menashe immigrants to Israel by the end of 2026 and complete the aliyah of roughly 6,000 remaining community members by 2030.

After the welcome event, Netanyahu addressed a special government meeting in Nof HaGalil focused on strengthening northern cities. The reported plan covers Nof HaGalil, Akko, Karmiel, Safed, Afula, Nazareth and Tiberias.

“In a joint effort, we are bringing a huge package to the central cities: Nof HaGalil, Akko, Karmiel, Safed, Afula, Nazareth and Tiberias,” Netanyahu said. “What we did in the south will be done in the north — that is our vision.”

The plan is expected to include housing expansion, urban renewal, transportation projects, industrial-zone development, public institutions, health, education and infrastructure. Israeli media also reported measures including rent subsidies for reservists, home-purchase grants tied to residency and land allocations for security personnel.

Netanyahu said the first priority is restoring security to northern Israel. He said Israel is striking Hezbollah hard, while acknowledging that drones remain a major challenge.

“We are striking Hezbollah very hard, eliminating hundreds of terrorists every week. And we still have challenges — a particular challenge is that of drones,” he said. “We are working on that.”

He also said the government had already allocated nearly 20 billion shekels to communities up to nine kilometers from the northern border, along with one billion shekels for the Golan Heights.

Netanyahu closed by describing the Galilee as part of Israel’s national mission.

“I love the Galilee. It is an integral part of our homeland,” he said. “It is a part that we must preserve and a part that we must develop.”

The government is now moving ahead with the northern-city plan as Nof HaGalil continues absorbing hundreds of new Bnei Menashe immigrants, placing aliyah and Galilee development at the center of the same policy push.