TEL AVIV, Nov 21: Claiming to be descendants of an ancient `lost’ tribe, a first batch of some 50 Indian immigrants who converted to Judaism started a new life in Israel amid tears and a warm welcome on Tuesday.
The Indians claim to be descendants of one of the 10 tribes who lived in the land of Israel during Biblical times and which dispersed, according to Biblical tradition, when the Assyrians invaded in 721BC.
Men dressed smartly in shirts and trousers and women in colourful clothes and neatly cut hair pushed trolleys laden with bags to be greeted by a pack of press photographers, welcoming relatives and a `welcome home’ banner.—AFP
