Kukis fighting for Israel and opposing Hamas far from the Northeast of India

Over 200 Kukis are prepared for battle, their community is praying for them, and they are a part of a force tasked with reacting to horrific acts of brutality committed by armed organizations - and this is happening in...Israel.

The tale of Kukis who serve in the Israel Defense Force (IDF) is obscured by the deluge of news about Israel's military response to Hamas in the international media.

104395895

The 3,60,000 reserve soldiers that Israel has mobilized include 206 Kukis who are originally from Manipur and Mizoram. These Kukis and roughly 5,000 other members of their group reside in Israel as a result of their immigration under the nation's policy of open doors for people belonging to what Tel Aviv refers to as a "lost Jewish tribe."

And as it happens, when Hamas militants entered Israel, this small village was right in the line of fire. The majority of Kukis reside in Sderot, which is near to Gaza and experienced some of the worst violence. No one was hurt, however one family's home was destroyed by fire.

The Hebrew name for this group is Bnei Menashe, which means "children of Manasseh." Menashe was the first child of Joseph, who was regarded in Jewish tradition as the first prophet, according to Shavei Israel, an NGO that aids "lost tribe" Jewish communities emigrate to Israel.

The Bnei Menashe, according to Shavei Israel, are descended from one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, who were exiled by the Assyrian Empire more than 27 centuries ago. According to Shavei Israel, these tribes "wove through Central Asia and the Far East for centuries before settling in what is now northeastern India, along the border with Burma (Myanmar) and Bangladesh."

There are about 5,000 members of his community in India, with 4,000 living in Manipur and 1,000 in Mizoram, according to Lalam Hangshing, chairman of the Bnei Menashe Council, India. Many Kukis from this village have been uprooted by the ethnic violence in Manipur, according to Hangshing.

Over the course of 30 years, 5,000 of these Kukis have immigrated to Israel, according to Hangshing. However, they have blended in wonderfully. "Dozens of our boys are regular soldiers in the IDF," he stated. "The exact number is not put out by Israeli armed forces."

"A few days ago, I received a list of 206 boys from our community who have been called for duty, joining those who are already in the IDF," Hangshing stated. He emphasizes that "many of the boys in the IDF have received commendations".

According to Hangshing, 5,000 of these Kukis had relocated to Israel over the span of 30 years. They have, nevertheless, assimilated beautifully. "Dozens of our boys are regular soldiers in the IDF," he said. "The exact number is not put out by Israeli armed forces."

"A few days ago, I received a list of 206 boys from our community who have been called for duty, joining those who are already in the IDF," Hangshing said. The fact that "many of the boys in the IDF have received commendations" is stressed by him.