Aizawl (Mizoram):) They went to Israel from India's northeast in search of the promised land. And they are doing their bit for Israel in Lebanon, battling militants opposed to the Jewish state.

Currently, nine soldiers, all members of the Bnei Menashe clan of Mizoram, Manipur and Assam states in India's northeast are serving in the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) and deployed in Lebanon. At least 216 people from the clan have migrated this month to Israel, after completing their conversion under the auspices of the Chief Rabbinate six months ago.

Among them are Tamir Baite, Avi Hangshing, 22, and Liel Lunkhel, 19, from Manipur, Eitan Ralte, 21, Samuel Menashe, 24, Yitzchak Hmar, 20, Binyamin Zadeng, 21, and Yosef Menashe, 19, from Mizoram, and Gershon Chongloi, 19, from Assam.

Menashe served in the Givati Mesayet Rotem stationed near the border in Gaza. Hangshing is serving in the tank corps as a sniper fighter.

Sources from Aizawl in close contact with the Bnei Menashe clan in Israel said that more soldiers of Indian origin could be called for in the near future.

In the 1950s, several thousands of clan members set out on foot to Israel but were halted by Indian authorities. Undeterred, many began practising Orthodox Judaism and pledged to make it to Israel.

They now attend community centres established by Shavei Israel to teach the Bnei Menashe Jewish tradition and modern Hebrew.

More than 1,000 Bnei Menashe members have gone to Israel, where they have undergone conversion and settled down with the help of Rabbi Avichail and Amishav. Many live in the Gush Katif area, are into agriculture and serve in the army.