Many in Mizoram believe they are lost tribes of Israel AIZAWL, April 24 – Moving across Aizwal, Israel Store and Zion Street are common sights and a newcomer to the state capital could be excused if he momentarily wonders he is in any part of Israel. For many among thousands of living in Mizoram and Manipur, Israel is the promised land and believe they are the lost tribes of Israel. They were overjoyed when the Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar reportedly recognised them as 'descendants of Israel'. After the recognition and announcement on March 30, 'Amishav Hebrew Centre', the institute for learning Hebrew language, Jewish religion and culture at Republic Veng locality here, was re-christened as 'Shavey Israel Hebrew Centre'. While 'Amishav' means 'Return my people', 'Shavei' conveys that these people are now citizens of Israel, it is noteworthy that Principal of the institute Alenby Sela and his family have already migrated to Israel after the announcement. Veronica K Zatluangi, land lady of the centre, told PTI that Jewish rabbis would be coming here to teach and formally convert the 'Bnei Menashe', or the children of Menashe,'one of the lost tribes of Israel', from the first part of May.However, Zaithanchhungi said "The Mizos, after realising that they belonged to the Israeli nation, do not have to resort to conversion of religion" as nationality does not have anything to do with religion. She claimed there are around 6,000 Jews who are already cenverted and ready to migrate to Israel from Mizoram and Manipur. The concept of Mizos being lost tribe of Israel had a deep root in the minds of these Indi-Tibetan people as majority of them are Christians reading the Old and the New Testament where Israel is projected as the Promised Land and the Holy Land. Like Rebecca Rei, who left her profitable beauty parlour business in the center of Aizawl city for Israel, about a thousand Mizos from Mizoram and Manipur have migrated to the Promised Land and were settled in the Gaza and West Bank in the forefronts of Palestinian hostilities. Most of them became affluent there. – PTI