(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
The existence in Arabia of a Jewish tribe of Bedouins, closely allied with Ibn Saud, leader of the Wahabis, who now holds the reins in Arabia, was reported here by Nissim Tager, in a lecture he delivered last night.
Mr. Tager, who is the son of the Damascus Chief Rabbi, is secretary to the Wahabi envoy of Syria.
The Jewish tribe, named Haibar, lives in Central Arabia, from where the lecturer recently returned. The tribe numbers 60,000 and includes 30,000 armed men. They gain a livelihood by cattle breeding and raiding. In the recent war of the Wahabis against the Hashimite dynasty, the Haibar tribe was closely allied with Ibn Saud. giving him valuable assistance.
The Jewish tribesmen observe Saturday as their Sabbath and the annual fast of the Day of Atonement. Circumcision is obligatory among the tribesmen. The tribe is also in possession of an ancient Scroll of the Law in Hebrew. The desire to go to Palestine and to serve in a Palestine Jewish army is frequently expressed by the tribesmen.
Several of the lieutenants of Ibn Saud are members of the Haibar tribe. The treasurer of Ibn Saud’s kingdom is a Haibar Jew named Mordecai.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
