J.J. MacNab, a fellow at George Washington University's Program on Extremism, said the Black Hebrew Israelites have used Facebook and YouTube to spread their message and attract new followers.

The 2,500-strong community believes it is descended from an ancient Israelite tribe. While it observes many Jewish laws, it is not recognized as Jewish by Israel’s religious authorities.

The Hebrew Israelites Community, which has around 2,500 members (down from 3,000 just a few years ago due to people leaving the country), believes it is descended from an ancient Israelite tribe.

The small African Hebrew Israelite community in Israel’s Negev Desert last month celebrated a major milestone in its struggle for recognition in the Jewish state, as more than 100 members seem to have ...